Easy Mexican Casserole Recipe

This Easy Mexican Casserole is a quick and flavorful meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. Packed with classic Mexican ingredients like ground beef, beans, cheese, and tortillas, this casserole comes together effortlessly. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s cheesy, savory, and bursting with flavor in every bite. Best of all, it’s super customizable, so you can adjust the ingredients to suit your family’s taste!

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Brown the Ground Beef

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain any excess grease.

3. Add Taco Seasoning

After draining the beef, sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat. Stir to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the seasoning to coat the beef evenly.

4. Combine Ingredients

To the skillet with the seasoned beef, add the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and enchilada sauce. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

5. Layer the Casserole

In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, begin layering the casserole:

• Spread a thin layer of salsa on the bottom of the dish.
• Add a layer of tortilla strips.
• Spoon half of the beef mixture on top of the tortillas.
• Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese over the beef.
• Repeat the layers (tortilla strips, beef mixture, cheese) until all ingredients are used up, ending with a generous layer of cheese on top.

6. Bake the Casserole

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.

7. Add Sour Cream

Once the casserole is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. Spread the sour cream evenly over the top of the casserole before serving, or serve it on the side for people to add as they like.

8. Serve and Add Toppings

Slice and serve the casserole hot, topped with your favorite toppings like sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, or green onions.

Tips for Success

• Customize the Protein: You can easily swap the ground beef for ground chicken, turkey, or even shredded rotisserie chicken for a lighter option.
• Add Extra Veggies: Feel free to add extra vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or zucchini to the beef mixture for added nutrition and flavor.
• Make It Spicy: If you love a bit of heat, use spicy enchilada sauce and add a few dashes of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
• Corn vs. Flour Tortillas: Both types of tortillas work well in this dish, but if you prefer a slightly crispier texture, opt for corn tortillas.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair your Easy Mexican Casserole with a simple side salad or guacamole for a complete meal.
• Add a side of Spanish rice or Mexican-style rice to round out the dish.

Storing and Reheating

• Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. If reheating the entire casserole, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes.
• Freezing: This casserole freezes well! Simply cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven.

Conclusion

This Easy Mexican Casserole is a perfect go-to recipe when you’re craving something hearty, cheesy, and packed with Mexican flavors. The combination of seasoned beef, beans, and tortillas baked with gooey cheese is comfort food at its finest. Plus, it’s versatile enough to customize with your favorite toppings and protein choices. Make it ahead, freeze it, and enjoy it any night of the week!

FAQs

1. Can I make this casserole vegetarian? Yes! Simply replace the ground beef with more beans, vegetables, or a plant-based meat substitute.
2. Can I use store-bought taco seasoning? Absolutely! Store-bought taco seasoning is a time-saver, but you can also make your own by combining spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika.
3. Can I use leftover chicken in this recipe? Yes, leftover shredded chicken works great in this recipe. It’s an easy way to use up extra chicken from a previous meal.
4. How can I make this dish gluten-free? To make this dish gluten-free, use corn tortillas and make sure the taco seasoning and enchilada sauce are gluten-free as well.
5. Can I freeze this casserole before baking? Yes, you can assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and freeze it before baking. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.

Yield: 6

Easy Mexican Casserole Recipe

Print

This Easy Mexican Casserole is a quick and flavorful meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. Packed with classic Mexican ingredients like ground beef, beans, cheese, and tortillas, this casserole comes together effortlessly. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s cheesy, savory, and bursting with flavor in every bite. Best of all, it’s super customizable, so you can adjust the ingredients to suit your family’s taste!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 oz)
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 10 small corn tortillas (or flour tortillas), cut into quarters
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
   
2. Cook the Ground Beef:
   In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
   
3. Season the Beef:
   Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and Rotel tomatoes. Let the mixture simmer for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   
4. Prepare the Creamy Mixture:
   In a separate bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup and sour cream until well combined.
   
5. Assemble the Casserole:
   Place a layer of tortilla pieces on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
   Spoon half of the beef mixture over the tortillas, followed by a layer of the sour cream mixture.
   Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top.
   Repeat the layers—tortillas, beef mixture, sour cream mixture, and cheeses.
   
6. Bake:
   Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
   Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
   
7. Garnish and Serve:
   Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes. Garnish with sliced black olives and chopped green onions, if desired.
   Serve with a side of salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

Notes

Tortilla Alternatives: You can substitute the corn tortillas with flour tortillas or even tortilla chips for a crunchier texture.

Meat Options: Ground turkey or chicken can be used in place of ground beef, or you can make it vegetarian by adding extra beans and veggies.

Make-Ahead Tip: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.