Description
This Mexican Casserole is a hearty and flavorful layered bake featuring seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies, all topped with melted cheddar or Mexican blend cheese and baked to perfection. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that’s easy to prepare, freezes well, and can be customized to be vegetarian.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), undrained
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies (optional for extra heat)
Seasonings
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
Dairy and Tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 8 small corn tortillas, cut into quarters
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro
- Sour cream
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the meat is browned and the onion is soft, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat to keep it from being greasy. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its flavor.
- Add Seasonings and Vegetables: Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and if you want extra heat, the optional diced green chilies. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes so all the flavors can blend well together.
- Layer the Casserole: Begin by spreading half of the quartered corn tortillas evenly on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Spoon half of the meat and vegetable mixture over the tortillas, then sprinkle one cup of shredded cheese on top. Repeat this layering process with the remaining tortillas, meat mixture, and the last cup of cheese.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing it into portions. Serve warm, garnished with fresh cilantro, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños if desired for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- This casserole is excellent for leftovers and freezes well for future meals.
- To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the meat and add an extra can of black beans or incorporate sautéed vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini.
- For a spicier version, increase the amount of diced green chilies or add chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture.
- Using homemade taco seasoning allows you to control the salt and spice levels for a healthier or milder dish.
