27 Taco Recipes That Go Way Beyond the Shell

Tacos are a great way to enjoy a meal that’s both easy and delicious. We have put together a collection of recipes that go beyond just tacos, including fresh salads, tasty dips, and comforting casseroles.

Whether you’re looking to add a crisp, refreshing side, a creamy dip for snacking, or a hearty casserole to round out your meal, these recipes have you covered. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have a variety of delicious dishes.

Walking Taco Casserole

This Walking Taco Casserole is a nostalgic and easy dinner that brings all the fun of walking tacos into a simple, delicious bake. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and sure to be a family favorite.

Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Ground Beef Taco Casserole

A spoonful of mexican casserole on a plate. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Spice up taco night with this easy Taco Casserole recipe! Everybody will be asking for seconds of this spin on a Mexican favorite.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Taco Casserole

Taco Tater Tot Casserole

A spoonful of mexican casserole with black beans and black olives. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This Taco Tater Tot Casserole combines ground beef with classic Mexican flavors and is topped with yummy cheese. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo.

Get the Recipe: Taco Tater Tot Casserole

Ground Beef Taco Salad

A bowl of mexican salad with tortilla chips and limes. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

A healthy Taco Salad made of seasoned ground beef, cheese, veggies, and tortilla chips drizzled with a Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Taco Salad

3-Ingredient Taco Dip

A bowl of cheese and vegetable dip with tortilla chips. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This delicious, no-cook, no-bake Taco Dip is perfect for any game day spread. Serve it with fresh-cut veggies, tortilla chips, or crackers.

Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Taco Dip

Cool Ranch Turkey Taco Casserole

Cool ranch turkey taco casserole combines ground turkey with Doritos, vegetables, Greek yogurt, taco seasoning, and more for ultimate flavor. This is a simple recipe to make and a sure way to spice up taco night.

Get the Recipe: Cool Ranch Turkey Taco Casserole

Homemade Taco Pizza With Crescent Rolls

Taco Pizza starts with crescent dough as the base, topped with seasoned beef, tomatoes, onions, cheddar cheese, and all your favorite taco toppings.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Taco Pizza With Crescent Rolls

Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Taco stuffed zucchini boats offer a little of everything – nutrition, meat, veggies, a pop of Mexican seasoning, and of course a tasty meal!

Get the Recipe: Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Easy Taco Casserole With Ground Beef

Taco Casserole is a fun twist on Taco Tuesday! This easy casserole has all the ingredients we love about tacos, baked together in one dish.

Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Casserole With Ground Beef

Taco Bites

This mini Taco Bites recipe is a fun and festive twist on the traditional taco, created as a cute appetizer and easy to prepare in 10 minutes!

Get the Recipe: Taco Bites

Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers

Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers are colorful bell peppers filled with ground beef, taco spices, black beans, corn, and cheese.

Get the Recipe: Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers

Taco Tortellini Skillet

Make a cheesy and easy Taco Tortellini Skillet with ground beef with just 6 ingredients! Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!

Get the Recipe: Taco Tortellini Skillet

Cheesy Taco Dip

Dig into a delicious Cheesy Taco Dip, easily made in a skillet or slow cooker, with seasoned ground beef, green chilies, cream cheese, salsa, and any taco toppings. It is the perfect party food appetizer for football season and holidays.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Taco Dip

Beef Taco Pasta

Beef Taco Pasta is comfort food at its finest! This simple, but unique Taco Tuesday dish is bursting with Mexican flavors.

Get the Recipe: Beef Taco Pasta

Taco Potatoes

Taco Potatoes recipe takes a simple baked potato, stuffs it with seasoned ground beef, and piles your favorite taco fixings on top.

Get the Recipe: Taco Potatoes

Frito Taco Bake

Layers of Frito chips, ground beef, taco seasoning, and cheese combined in this Taco Bake. Also known as Walking Tacos or Frito Pie!

Get the Recipe: Frito Taco Bake

Taco Spaghetti

Taco spaghetti is a delicious Mexican casserole that brings tacos and spaghetti all made in one pan and ready in under 30 minutes! Picky eater approved!

Get the Recipe: Taco Spaghetti

Cheesy Taco Pasta

This Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe is a perfectly nostalgic Hamburger Helper copycat. It’s the 30-minute meal everyone will love.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Taco Pasta

30-Minute Taco Casserole

This 30-minute Taco Casserole comes together super quickly and tastes amazing. It’s waist-friendly without sacrificing one bit of flavor.

Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Taco Casserole

Mini Taco Cups

Layers of crispy wonton wrappers, seasoned taco meat with chili beans, melted cheese and a flavorful salsa ranch dressing.

Get the Recipe: Mini Taco Cups

Taco Pasta Salad

Calling all taco fans! Whip up this Taco Pasta Salad that’s loaded with rotini pasta, black beans, corn, fresh veggies and shredded cheese!

Get the Recipe: Taco Pasta Salad

Taco Soup

Taco soup is a twist on traditional tacos, and it’s an easy one pot meal on your stove or in your slow cooker. Busy families will love this 7 can taco soup!

Get the Recipe: Taco Soup