Baked Burrito Casserole Recipe

Baked burrito casserole is a comforting, delicious, and customizable dish that combines the beloved flavors of burritos in an easy-to-make casserole form. This dish is perfect for a family dinner, a weeknight meal, a party, or meal prep for the week ahead. It combines layers of seasoned meat (usually ground beef or chicken), beans, rice, cheese, and a variety of toppings to create a hearty and satisfying casserole. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility, as you can adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs.

With minimal effort, you can prepare a meal that will leave everyone at the table smiling. In this detailed guide, we will take a close look at all the components that make up a Baked Burrito Casserole, from the ingredients to step-by-step instructions, tips for making it your own, and ideas for side dishes or variations. This recipe will give you everything you need to make this meal a regular feature in your home.

Why Make Baked Burrito Casserole?

• Easy to Prepare: Unlike traditional burritos that require rolling and assembling each one individually, this casserole simplifies the process by layering the ingredients. You can throw everything together in one dish and bake it, making it much easier and quicker to prepare.
• Feeding a Crowd: This dish is perfect for a crowd or for large families. The casserole can be easily doubled or adjusted depending on how many servings you need.
• Customizable: Whether you’re a meat lover, vegetarian, or prefer a different protein, the options are endless. You can swap out the ground beef for chicken, turkey, or even tofu for a plant-based version. The beans, rice, and cheese are all flexible to personal preferences.
• Great for Leftovers: The casserole stores well in the fridge for up to several days and can be reheated. It’s also perfect for meal prep because it can be easily portioned into containers for future meals.
• Kid-Friendly: The flavors of burritos are often a hit with children, and since this recipe doesn’t require rolling or heavy assembly, kids can be involved in the cooking process too!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Layer

1. Brown the Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef (or your choice of protein). Break it apart using a spatula and cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes.

2. Add Onion and Garlic: When the meat is fully browned, add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.

   - Advertisement -

3. Season the Meat: Add the taco seasoning to the meat mixture and stir well to combine. If using homemade seasoning, you can make your own blend using chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt. Pour in 1/2 cup of water to help rehydrate the seasoning mix and create a nice sauce. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Rice Layer

1. Cook the Rice (If Necessary): If you don’t have pre-cooked rice, start by cooking your rice according to the package instructions. Typically, 1 cup of uncooked rice will yield about 3 cups of cooked rice. Alternatively, you can use pre-cooked rice from a packet or cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.

2. Mix the Rice: Once your rice is cooked, place it in a mixing bowl. Add the salsa, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together to combine. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Bean Layer

1. Heat the Refried Beans: Open the can of refried beans and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. You can also heat them on the stovetop in a small saucepan over low heat.

2. Mix with Salsa: To add more flavor and prevent the beans from being too dry, mix in 1/2 cup of salsa or a splash of chicken broth for moisture. Stir and set aside.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

1. Grease the Casserole Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with olive oil or cooking spray.

2. Layer the Tortillas: Start by placing a layer of tortillas in the bottom of the casserole dish. If necessary, cut or overlap the tortillas slightly to fit the dish. You may need 6-8 tortillas, depending on their size and how they fit in the dish.

3. Add the Meat Layer: Spoon half of the seasoned ground beef mixture over the tortillas, spreading it evenly.

4. Add the Rice Layer: Spoon half of the seasoned rice mixture over the meat, spreading it evenly as well.

5. Add the Beans: Next, spread the refried beans (or black beans) over the rice layer.

6. Repeat the Layers: For a second layer, repeat the process. Place another layer of tortillas on top, followed by the remaining meat mixture, rice mixture, and beans.

Step 5: Add the Cheese and Bake

1. Top with Cheese: After layering all the ingredients, sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese evenly over the top. Add the Parmesan cheese for extra flavor, if using.

2. Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and the casserole to heat through.

3. Uncover and Finish Baking: After 20-25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish: Once the casserole is finished baking, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps the casserole set and makes it easier to cut and serve.

2. Serve: Slice the casserole into squares and top with fresh cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños, green onions, and lime wedges for an added burst of flavor.

Tips for Perfecting Your Baked Burrito Casserole

• Layering Is Key: The key to a perfect casserole is making sure each layer is evenly spread. This ensures that every bite is filled with the rich flavors of seasoned meat, beans, rice, and cheese.
• Use High-Quality Cheese: For the best melt and flavor, opt for freshly shredded cheese over pre-shredded options. Freshly shredded cheese melts better and provides a creamier texture.
• Customize the Filling: This casserole can be customized in many ways. Add sautéed bell peppers, corn, or olives for more flavor. You can also swap the rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice to lower the carb content.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Dish: Make sure you don’t overfill the casserole dish. Each layer should be spread evenly but not packed too tightly, allowing the casserole to bake evenly.
• Freezer-Friendly: This casserole is perfect for meal prep. You can assemble it ahead of time and freeze it before baking. When ready to bake, just cook it from frozen for about 45-60 minutes.

Variations of Baked Burrito Casserole

1. Vegetarian Burrito Casserole: Swap the ground beef with black beans, pinto beans, or a plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh. You can also add extra veggies like corn, bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms for more texture.

2. Chicken Burrito Casserole: Use shredded cooked chicken instead of ground beef for a lighter option. You can use leftover rotisserie chicken or cook chicken breasts in the oven or on the stovetop before shredding.

3. Low-Carb Burrito Casserole: To make this dish low-carb, swap out the rice for cauliflower rice and use low-carb tortillas (or eliminate them altogether for a tortilla-free casserole).

4. Spicy Burrito Casserole: If you like things spicy, add some diced jalapeños to the layers, or use hot salsa. You can also incorporate diced green chilies into the meat mixture for an extra kick.

Conclusion

Baked Burrito Casserole is the perfect meal to serve to a crowd, feed a family, or meal prep for the week. It’s easy to make, customizable, and packed with all the delicious flavors you love in a burrito but in casserole form. With layers of seasoned meat, rice, beans, and cheese, all topped with a crunchy, cheesy crust, this dish will quickly become a favorite.

Yield: 6-8

Baked Burrito Casserole Recipe

Print

Baked burrito casserole is a comforting, delicious, and customizable dish that combines the beloved flavors of burritos in an easy-to-make casserole form. This dish is perfect for a family dinner, a weeknight meal, a party, or meal prep for the week ahead. It combines layers of seasoned meat (usually ground beef or chicken), beans, rice, cheese, and a variety of toppings to create a hearty and satisfying casserole. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility, as you can adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or chicken (or a combination of both)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade seasoning)
• 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
• 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies (optional)
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn (or canned corn, drained)
• 6 small flour tortillas (or corn tortillas for gluten-free)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican blend)
• 1 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
• 1 cup salsa (optional, for serving)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or similar-sized casserole dish.
   
2. Cook the Meat:
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the ground beef (or chicken), breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat, if needed.
   
3. Add Seasonings:
   Stir in the taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, diced green chilies, black beans, and corn. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
   
4. Assemble the Casserole:
   Cut the tortillas into halves or quarters (depending on their size) and arrange a layer of tortilla pieces at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the meat mixture, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat the layers with another set of tortillas, the remaining meat mixture, and the rest of the cheese.
   
5. Bake:
   Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
   
6. Serve:
   Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, serve with sour cream, salsa, and chopped cilantro for garnish.

Notes

• Protein Variations: You can use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based ground meat for a lighter option.
• Tortilla Options: Use gluten-free tortillas if needed, or swap out flour tortillas for corn tortillas for a more authentic taste.
• Spice Level: Adjust the heat by adding more diced jalapeños, hot sauce, or using a spicy taco seasoning mix.
• Make Ahead: This casserole can be assembled the night before and stored in the fridge. Just bake it when you're ready to serve.