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 This Taco Bubble Up Bake is a cheesy, family-friendly casserole made with ground beef, biscuits, enchilada sauce, and all your favorite taco toppings!

 

 

Taco night is always a hit in our house, but sometimes I need a way to switch things up while still keeping those familiar flavors my kids love. That’s where this Taco Bubble Up Bake comes in! It has all the flavors of a cheesy taco casserole, but with a fun twist, fluffy biscuit pieces that “bubble up” in the oven, creating little pockets of warm, pillowy goodness throughout the dish.

This recipe is pure comfort food. Imagine juicy ground beef seasoned with taco spices, mixed with enchilada sauce and salsa, then tossed with biscuit dough and baked until everything is hot, cheesy, and bubbling. The biscuits rise and puff up around the beef mixture, soaking in all that saucy, taco flavor. Every bite is hearty and satisfying, and the best part is you can pile on your favorite taco toppings at the end, sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, more salsa, anything goes.

What makes this recipe even better? It’s quick and easy. From start to finish, it takes under 45 minutes, and most of that time is hands-off while it bakes. It’s the kind of meal that works for busy weeknights when you don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen but still want something homemade and filling. And let me tell you, kids absolutely love this dish! Mine don’t even blink at the green onions mixed in because they’re too distracted by the gooey cheese and biscuit pieces.

This casserole is also super versatile. You can swap the beef for turkey or chicken, add beans or corn for extra bulk, or even spice it up with pepper jack cheese. However you make it, you’re guaranteed a bubbly, cheesy dinner that will have your family coming back for seconds.

What Is Taco Bubble Up Bake?

Taco Bubble Up Bake is a fun twist on a taco casserole that uses refrigerated biscuits instead of tortillas or chips. The biscuits are cut into pieces and mixed with seasoned beef, enchilada sauce, salsa, scallions, and cheese. As it bakes, the biscuits puff up (“bubble up”), creating a fluffy, cheesy casserole that’s bursting with taco flavor.

It’s the ultimate mash-up of two comfort foods, tacos and biscuits, baked together in one easy, family-friendly dish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy – Just 15 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of bake time.

• Kid-Approved – Cheesy, bubbly, and fun to eat.

• Customizable – Add beans, corn, or switch up the protein.

• One-Pan Wonder – Everything bakes together in one casserole dish.

• Taco Night Twist – A new way to serve everyone’s favorite flavors.

When to Serve

• Taco Tuesdays – A fun spin on taco night.

• Weeknight Dinners – Quick, hearty, and filling.

• Game Day Parties – A bubbly, cheesy dish perfect for sharing.

• ‍ Family Nights – Kids love the biscuit “bubble up” texture.

• Potlucks – Travels well and feeds a crowd.

Ingredients 

• 1 pound lean ground beef – The hearty base of the casserole.

• 1 envelope taco seasoning (1 oz) – Brings all the classic taco flavor.

• ⅔ cup salsa – Adds flavor and moisture to the filling.

• 1 (10 oz) can mild red enchilada sauce – Rich, savory sauce to tie everything together.

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese – Melty, gooey, and essential for taco night.

• ½ cup thinly sliced green onions (plus more for garnish) – A little freshness and flavor boost.

• 1 (8 count) can large refrigerated biscuits – Cut into pieces for that bubble-up texture.

• Taco toppings (lettuce, tomato, sour cream, salsa) – For finishing and customizing.

How to Make Taco Bubble Up Bake

1. Preheat oven – Heat to 375°F and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray.

2. Cook beef – In a large skillet, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain grease.

3. Mix filling – Stir in taco seasoning, salsa, and enchilada sauce. Add half the cheese and half the scallions.

4. Add biscuits – Cut each biscuit into 8 pieces and gently stir them into the beef mixture.

5. Assemble – Pour mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly.

6. Bake – Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake 5 more minutes until bubbly.

7. Finish & serve – Garnish with extra scallions and your favorite taco toppings. Serve warm.

Substitutions

• Protein – Swap beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or even shredded rotisserie chicken.

• Cheese – Use pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend instead of cheddar.

• Enchilada Sauce – Red or green enchilada sauce both work.

• Biscuits – Refrigerated crescent rolls can be cut into pieces and used in place of biscuits.

Variations

• Add Veggies – Mix in corn, black beans, or bell peppers.

• Spicy Kick – Use hot enchilada sauce or spicy salsa.

• Double Cheese – Add a layer of cheese in the middle for extra gooeyness.

• Tex-Mex Style – Top with jalapeños, avocado slices, or hot sauce before serving.

Tips & Tricks

• Cut biscuits evenly – Smaller pieces bubble up more evenly in the casserole.

• Don’t overmix – Stir the biscuit pieces in gently so they don’t clump.

• Check for doneness – Make sure the biscuits are baked through before serving.

• Serve with toppings – Set up a taco bar with toppings so everyone can customize.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the beef mixture ahead and refrigerate it. Add biscuit pieces just before baking.

Can I freeze Taco Bubble Up Bake?
It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze leftovers. Reheat covered in the oven.

Do I have to use enchilada sauce?
Yes, it helps keep everything moist. You can substitute with tomato sauce or salsa, but the flavor will be different.

Serving Ideas

• Serve with a side salad for balance.

• Pair with Mexican rice or refried beans.

• Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa.

• Garnish with fresh cilantro and jalapeños for a fiesta feel.

Storage & Make Ahead

• Fridge – Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.

• Freezer – Freeze portions up to 2 months. Reheat covered in oven.

• Make Ahead – Prep beef mixture, refrigerate, and bake with biscuits right before serving.

More Easy, Cheesy Family Dinners

If you loved how simple and delicious Taco Bubble Up Bake was, you’ll want to try these other comforting favorites. They’re all hearty, family-friendly meals loaded with flavor, cheese, and plenty of weeknight ease.

• Slow Cooker Taco Pasta
  Hearty and effortless, this slow-cooked cheesy pasta mash-up includes seasoned ground beef, salsa, corn, beans, and noodles—finished with a blanket of melted cheese.
• Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf
  A fun spin on classic meatloaf—packed with taco seasoning, green chiles, cheese, and crushed nacho chips—slow cooked and topped with a zesty taco sauce glaze.
• Meatball Sub Bubble Up Bake
  Just four ingredients: meatballs, sauce, biscuit dough, and cheese come together for a simple, nostalgic, and crowd-pleasing bake.
• Slow Cooker Tatertot Casserole
  Comfort food at its easiest—with ground beef, veggies, creamy soup, and a fabulous tater tot and cheese topping—ideal for laid-back family dinners.
• Enchilada Stuffed Shells
  Jumbo pasta shells filled with a hearty mixture of seasoned beef, beans, and cheese, then topped with enchilada sauce and baked until bubbling and golden.
• Taco Pinwheels
  Flour tortillas rolled with seasoned taco filling, cheese, and salsa, then sliced into pinwheels for a fun and easy appetizer or dinner idea.

Final Thoughts

This Taco Bubble Up Bake is one of those meals that checks all the boxes: quick, cheesy, filling, and family-approved. The biscuit pieces bubble up into little pockets of fluffy bread, soaking in all the taco-seasoned goodness, while the cheese makes everything irresistibly gooey.

I love serving this on busy weeknights because it feels like comfort food without a ton of work. Plus, it’s fun to change up with different toppings and mix-ins, so it never gets boring. Whether you’re making it for Taco Tuesday, a weekend game night, or just because your family is craving something cheesy and cozy, this casserole is a guaranteed hit.