Description

This Best Mexican Casserole recipe is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Layers of seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and gooey cheese are baked over tortilla chips with bold Mexican flavors. Ready in under an hour, it offers a customizable, hearty main course that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel-style), undrained
1 (10-ounce) can enchilada sauce (red or green)
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

Assembly

4 cups tortilla chips (about half a large bag), slightly crushed
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided

Topping (Optional)

1 cup sour cream
1 ripe avocado, sliced
Fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1/2 cup diced tomatoes

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up with a spoon as you go. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, then sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is softened.
Season and Add Veggies: Stir in black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, enchilada sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let this mixture simmer for 5 minutes so it thickens slightly and flavors meld.
Layer the Casserole: Spread half the crushed tortilla chips evenly at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Pour half of the beef mixture on top, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat with remaining chips, beef mixture, and top with the final cup of cheese.
Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbling around the edges.
Add Toppings and Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Top with optional sour cream, sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, cilantro, or olives as desired. Cut into squares and serve warm.

Notes

Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Add a diced jalapeño or extra chili powder for more heat.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
This casserole freezes well before baking; just cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before baking as directed.
Customize toppings based on preference – shredded lettuce, salsa, or pickled jalapenos are great additions.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
Calories: 480
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 970mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 26g
Cholesterol: 85mg