Taco Bubble Up Recipe

I absolutely love making this Taco Bubble Up Recipe when I want something quick, comforting, and packed with flavor. It s one of those dishes that comes together super fast, but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Whenever I m craving tacos but don t want to fuss with shells or tortillas, this bubbly casserole-style version hits the spot perfectly.

You ll find that the combination of seasoned beef, cheese, and those fluffy biscuit pieces creates such a satisfying texture contrast. It s super family-friendly too; my crew goes crazy for this and it s a great way to feed a crowd without much effort. Plus, it s easily customizable with your favorite toppings for extra fun at the table.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: You ll have dinner on the table in less than an hour, perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Family Favorite: This recipe is loved by both kids and adults, making it a dinner crowd-pleaser.
  • Versatile: You can easily swap ingredients or toppings to suit your taste or dietary needs.
  • Comforting and Flavorful: The melty cheese and seasoned beef combined with soft biscuits create a delicious bubble of taco goodness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Taco Bubble Up Recipe come together so well because they balance cheesy, savory, and slightly spicy flavors-all with a hint of taco seasoning magic. Using premade biscuits saves time but also helps create that bubbly, fluffy texture that everyone raves about.

  • Ground beef: I like using 80/20 for juiciness and flavor, but leaner blends work if you want less grease.
  • Taco seasoning packet: Store-bought is super convenient, but I love making my own blend for a fresher taste.
  • Enchilada sauce: This adds depth and a saucy richness that pairs beautifully with the beef.
  • Diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel): Adds a touch of heat and fresh tomato flavor to keep things vibrant.
  • Pillsbury homestyle grands biscuits: Using canned biscuits means no dough prep, and cutting them into pieces distributes the fluffy goodness throughout.
  • Colby jack cheese: Melts wonderfully and has a nice mild flavor that everyone enjoys.
  • Your favorite taco toppings: Think sour cream, avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, or jalapenos to personalize your bubble up.
  • Fresh cilantro (optional): Adds a fresh herbal note that brightens up the richness.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that the Taco Bubble Up Recipe is super adaptable-after a few tries, I started tweaking it to fit all kinds of cravings or dietary needs. Whether you want to go vegetarian, kick up the spice level, or swap cheeses, you can make it your own.

  • Vegetarian Option: Swap the beef for seasoned cooked lentils or plant-based crumbles, and use a veggie-friendly enchilada sauce.
  • Extra Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne to the meat mixture for an extra kick-I ve done this for taco-loving friends, and they loved it!
  • Cheese Swap: Try pepper jack for a little spice or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack for gooey melty goodness.
  • Easy Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free biscuits or substitute with torn corn tortillas for a similar effect.

How to Make Taco Bubble Up Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Brown the Beef

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish-this makes cleanup easier later on. Then, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown your ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula until no pink remains. Don t forget to drain the excess grease really well here; I learned this trick the hard way because leftover grease can make the dish greasy and soggy.

Step 2: Mix in Seasonings and Sauces

Once your beef is browned and drained, stir in the taco seasoning packet, enchilada sauce, and diced tomatoes with green chilies all at once. Mix everything thoroughly so the beef is nicely coated and flavorful. Remove your skillet from heat and set aside while you prepare the biscuit pieces-that way everything stays warm and melds nicely once baked.

Step 3: Prepare the Biscuits and Combine

Cut each biscuit into eighths and drop the pieces into a large mixing bowl. Then, pour your taco beef mixture over the biscuit pieces and fold gently to coat everything evenly. Be careful not to overmix here-you want the biscuit pieces to stay chunky rather than turning into mush, which keeps that appealing texture.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Transfer this delicious mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top the entire dish with a generous layer of shredded Colby jack cheese-this melts into bubbly golden perfection while baking. Pop it into the oven uncovered for about 25-30 minutes, until you see bubbly edges, golden cheese, and fully cooked biscuits. I like to let it rest for about 10 minutes after baking; it helps everything set while you prepare the toppings.

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Pro Tips for Making Taco Bubble Up Recipe

  • Drain the Beef Thoroughly: Getting rid of excess fat prevents a greasy casserole, keeping the texture just right.
  • Don t Overmix the Biscuits: Folding gently retains fluffy biscuit pockets throughout the dish.
  • Let It Rest Before Serving: This helps everything set up and makes serving slices neat and satisfying.
  • Customize Your Toppings: Offering a taco bar with various toppings lets everyone build their own perfect bite.

How to Serve Taco Bubble Up Recipe

Taco Bubble Up Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I always reach for fresh cilantro, cool sour cream, diced avocado, and sliced green onions when serving this Taco Bubble Up Recipe. The herbs and creamy toppings add bright contrast to the rich, cheesy casserole. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra shredded cheese on top, too, just for good measure.

Side Dishes

Simple sides like Mexican rice, black beans, or a crunchy corn salad pair perfectly and round out the meal. In hotter months, I love pairing this with a fresh salsa or a cool cucumber salad to keep things balanced without adding much prep time.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist at parties, I ve served Taco Bubble Up in individual ramekins or mini cast iron skillets-it makes the presentation feel special and everyone loves having their own portion. You could even sprinkle shaped tortilla chips on top right before serving for extra crunch and fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I ve found that letting it cool completely before sealing helps keep the biscuit pieces from getting too soggy. Just reheat gently and it s almost as good the next day.

Freezing

This Taco Bubble Up Recipe freezes well if you want to make it ahead. I freeze it before baking in a foil pan, then thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. The biscuits stay surprisingly fluffy once baked fresh.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I use the oven at 350°F covered loosely with foil to keep moisture in and melt the cheese back nicely without drying out the beef. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the texture is best when reheated more gently.

FAQs

  1. Can I use a different type of cheese for Taco Bubble Up Recipe?

    Absolutely! While Colby jack is the classic choice here for its melt and mild flavor, you can switch to cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack for some spice, or even a Mexican cheese blend. Just opt for a good melting cheese to keep that gooey texture.

  2. Can I make Taco Bubble Up Recipe vegetarian?

    Yes! Instead of ground beef, try using cooked lentils, black beans, or a plant-based meat substitute. Be sure to use vegetarian-friendly taco seasoning and enchilada sauce to keep the flavors authentic.

  3. How spicy is this Taco Bubble Up Recipe?

    It s mildly spicy thanks to the taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chilies, which offer a gentle warmth rather than heat overload. You can easily adjust the spice by choosing mild or hot taco seasoning and adding fresh chilies or jalapeños if you want more kick.

  4. Can I make this ahead of time?

    Definitely! You can prepare the entire mixture and refrigerate it before baking, or freeze it in a baking dish. Just remember to allow extra baking time if it s coming straight from the fridge or freezer.

Final Thoughts

This Taco Bubble Up Recipe is one of my go-to dishes when I want something flavorful, fuss-free, and really comforting. It feels like a cozy hug in casserole form and has become a staple for family dinners and casual get-togethers in my house. I m sure once you try it, you ll keep coming back to it just like I do-there s something so satisfying about those cheesy, bubbly bites with taco flavors that s hard to beat!

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Taco Bubble Up Recipe

Taco Bubble Up Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 125 reviews
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 9 servings
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Description

Taco Bubble Up is a delightful and easy-to-make casserole that combines seasoned ground beef, biscuits, and melted cheese into a flavorful, comforting dish. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this recipe offers a fun twist on traditional tacos by baking everything together in one dish, making serving quick and mess-free.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 ounce packet taco seasoning

Sauces and Canned Ingredients

  • 10 ounce can enchilada sauce
  • 10 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)

Dough

  • 2 (6 ounce) cans Pillsbury homestyle grands biscuits

Cheese

  • 8 ounce block colby jack cheese, shredded

Toppings and Garnishes

  • Your favorite taco toppings (such as sour cream, lettuce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños)
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set the dish aside.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook, crumbling it with a spatula, until fully browned and no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
  3. Add Seasonings and Sauces: Stir in the taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, and diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel) into the cooked beef. Mix thoroughly to combine, then remove the skillet from heat and set it aside.
  4. Prepare the Biscuits: Cut each biscuit into eighths and place all the biscuit pieces into a large mixing bowl.
  5. Combine Meat and Biscuits: Pour the taco meat mixture into the bowl with the biscuit pieces. Gently fold the mixture together until the biscuit pieces are evenly coated but not completely broken down.
  6. Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly for uniform cooking.
  7. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded colby jack cheese evenly over the top of the mixture, ensuring good coverage for a cheesy finish.
  8. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Bake until the edges are bubbly, the cheese is melted and browned, and the biscuit dough is cooked through.
  9. Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for about 10 minutes before serving to let it set slightly. Serve with your favorite taco toppings and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

  • Use an 80/20 ground beef blend for the best flavor and texture, but leaner beef can be used for a lower fat option.
  • You can substitute the enchilada sauce with your favorite red salsa for a different flavor profile.
  • Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies add a mild spice and tang, but you can adjust to your preferred spice level.
  • Adding extra cheese or different cheese types like cheddar or pepper jack can customize this dish.
  • The recipe can be doubled for larger crowds and baked in a larger dish, adjusting baking times as needed.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/9 of casserole)
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg

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