1-Preheat oven and prepare dish: preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and coating a 2-3 quart baking dish with cooking spray. It’s all about building layers that meld together beautifully.

2-Cook the beef and onions: In a large pan over medium-high heat, add the 2 teaspoons of olive oil and cook the 1 pound of 90% lean ground beef for 4-5 minutes, breaking it up until it’s browned. This step ensures the meat is flavorful and ready for the next additions. Then, stir in the 1/2 cup of finely diced onion and cook until it’s translucent, adding that essential depth to the mixture.

3-Add seasoning and sour cream: Next, mix in the packet of taco seasoning and 1 1/2 cups of red salsa, letting it simmer for 3-4 minutes before removing from heat and blending in 1 cup of sour cream. Lightly crush the 4 cups of flavored tortilla chips into 1/2-inch pieces for the perfect crunch. Now, for the layering: Spread one-third of the crushed chips in the dish, top with half the meat mixture, and add one-third of the 2 cups shredded cheese.

4-Assemble and bake: Repeat the layers with another third of the chips, the remaining meat mixture, and another third of the cheese, finishing with the last of the chips and cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an extra 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and browned. Finally, sprinkle on 1/2 cup diced tomatoes and 1/4 cup sliced green onions before serving, and offer optional toppings like additional sour cream or cilantro.