1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This was always Mama Lou’s first step, as she would say, “A well-preheated oven is a chef’s best friend.”
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add the taco seasoning to the beef, along with 1/4 cup of water. Stir until the beef is well coated and the water is absorbed.
4. Mix in the black beans and salsa, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the corn chips on the bottom. Layer the beef mixture over the chips.
6. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the beef mixture, then layer with the remaining corn chips.
7. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Top with sour cream, green onions, tomatoes, and olives.

As Mama Lou always said, “Patience is the secret ingredient.” Allowing the casserole to cool a bit helps the flavors meld beautifully.