This Beyond Beef Taco Casserole can be used for a meal or a party dish. You can whip this recipe together in no time. Everyone is sure to love it, especially your vegetarian friends. The dish can of course be made with regular ground beef, but plant based meat is a healthier option. Most people can’t even tell the difference if you don’t tell them. Test it out and see what happens.
If you are looking to get started on a plant based diet Beyond Meat Inc. products are one of the many choices out there. The burgers pack a whooping 20 grams of protein and they have less saturated fat than beef. 4 oz. raw ground beef has 8 grams of saturated fat, while 4 oz. raw beyond beef has 5 grams saturated fat.
Why Beyond Beef For Taco Casserole?
I am not a huge fan of soy as so many meat alternatives use in their products. There is no soy in beyond beef products and that is why I tried them to begin with. There are no fillers just wholesome goodness inside these burgers. I was stunned by the meaty, juicy texture and beef flavor their burgers delivered. Ultimately, my son especially loved them!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb package of Beyond Beef
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 can of tomatoes with chilis, plus the juice
- 1 can black beans
- gluten free dairy free shredded cheddar
- zest of 1 lime
- gluten free dairy free sour cream
- olives (optional)
- gluten free tortilla chips
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Get out a 9 x 11 pan. I used a stone pan which helps keep the beef taco casserole warm once you take it out of the oven.
Put a little olive oil in a frying pan and heat over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cook for about 3 minutes or until soft. Add your plant based meat to the pan, cook another 2 minutes. Break up the pieces of meat, add the spices and stir to combine. Put half a can of tomatoes with chilis and the juice in the pan or the whole can works as well. Dump in the black beans, stir to combine and cook another 5 minutes. Taste the mixture to check your seasonings and add adjust accordingly.
First, put a layer of tortilla chips along the bottom of the pan. Next, put a layer of the beef mixture. Top that layer with cheese. Repeat the process to make a second layer of everything. If you can fit three layers, then why not?
Put the beef taco casserole in the oven and cook for 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
While your casserole is cooking zest the lime and then cut it into slices. Cut up the olives and get the sour cream out. I added some lime zest to the sour cream for a little citrus flavor. You can add additional lime flavor by squeezing some over your beef taco casserole.
There you have it, Beyond Beef Taco Casserole ready to eat.