Description
Mexican White Trash Casserole is a hearty and cheesy baked dish combining seasoned ground beef, creamy soups, sour cream, and spicy Rotel tomatoes layered with crunchy crushed tortilla chips. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this casserole offers a delicious blend of cheesy, spicy, and savory flavors with a crispy topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Assembly
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips or corn chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are softened, stirring occasionally to break up the beef. Drain any excess grease to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Mix Ingredients: Stir in the undrained can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Combine thoroughly and cook on medium until the mixture is heated through and well blended.
- Layer the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips evenly on the bottom of the dish as the first layer. Pour the beef mixture over the chips and spread it out evenly.
- Add Cheese and Chips: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef layer. Then, cover the cheese with the remaining crushed tortilla chips for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top chips are lightly browned.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. This allows it to set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef for a lighter variation.
- For a spicier flavor, use hot Rotel diced tomatoes or add chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- This casserole reheats well and can also be frozen for later meal prep; thaw and warm thoroughly before serving.
