Can I use other types of potatoes in this casserole?

Yes! While russet potatoes are best for their texture and starch content, Yukon golds or red potatoes can work too. Just keep in mind they may cook a bit differently and adjust the time accordingly to avoid mushiness.

What can I substitute for the cottage cheese if I don’t have any?

Great question! You can replace cottage cheese with cream cheese or a mild cheddar cheese soup to maintain creaminess. Avoid sour cream or Greek yogurt as they don't melt the same way and could change the texture.

Can I make this recipe with ground turkey or chicken?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken are excellent lean alternatives to ground beef in this recipe. I’ve made it with both and they absorb the taco seasoning nicely, just watch the cooking time since lean meats cook faster.

Why is there liquid in the crockpot after cooking?

The liquid you see after cooking is mostly oil runoff from the cheese and the salsa. It’s perfectly normal and will settle as the casserole cools. You can spoon some off if you prefer less moisture when serving.

Beef Potato Tacos: Easy, Flavorful Mexican Dinner

Description

This Beefy Potato Taco Casserole is an easy, hands-off crockpot recipe combining tender ground beef seasoned with taco spices, creamy cheeses, and soft russet potatoes for a comforting and flavorful dinner perfect for busy days.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 lb lean 96/4 ground beef
1 medium white or yellow onion
2 large russet potatoes (about 24 oz total)
1 oz taco seasoning packet
1/2 cup (120 g) salsa

Cheese Mixture

1/2 cup (113 g) fat-free cottage cheese
1/2 cup (128 g) queso cheese dip
1 cup (112 g) lite shredded Mexican cheese
1/4 cup (28 g) lite shredded Mexican cheese (reserved for topping)

Topping

Green onion for topping

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Instructions

Prepare Potatoes and Onion: Peel and dice the russet potatoes into cubes or slices according to your preference. Dice the medium onion and set both aside.
Cook Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook for a few minutes, then stir in 1/2 cup salsa and the taco seasoning packet. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes until the beef is cooked through but can be slightly pink.
Layer Crockpot Ingredients: Place the diced potatoes and onions into the crockpot. Add the fat-free cottage cheese, queso cheese dip, and 3/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese. Mix these ingredients gently.
Add Cooked Beef to Crockpot: Add the cooked ground beef mixture to the crockpot and mix everything together well. Then sprinkle the reserved 1/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese evenly on top.
Cook the Casserole: Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours. The potatoes will become soft and the cheese will melt, melding all flavors.
Finish and Serve: After cooking, chop some green onion and sprinkle on top of the casserole before serving. Enjoy your hearty beefy potato taco casserole!

Notes

Cottage cheese provides creaminess and protein; you can substitute with cream cheese or cheddar cheese soup for similar results but avoid sour cream or Greek yogurt for texture and flavor reasons.
Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter variation.
Some liquid may appear in the crockpot after cooking due to cheese oils; this will settle as the casserole cools and is normal.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 280 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 550 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 20 g
Cholesterol: 50 mg