Description
Whip up this easy Mexican casserole for a quick dinner that’ll have your family asking for seconds. Layers of tortillas, ground beef, and melted cheese come together in one simple, satisfying meal that brings Tex-Mex flavors right to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can 15 oz black beans
- 1 can 15 oz corn kernels
Flavor Builders:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 onion
- 1 can 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies
- ½ cup salsa
Toppings and Extras:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked rice
- ½ cup sour cream
- fresh cilantro
- jalapeño slices
- sliced avocado
- chopped green onions
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sauté 1 diced onion for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Add 1 pound ground beef to the skillet. Crumble and cook until completely browned, approximately 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sprinkle 1 packet of taco seasoning over the meat. Pour in 1 can of drained black beans, 1 can of corn kernels, 1 can of diced tomatoes, and ½ cup salsa. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Fold 1 cup of cooked rice into the meat mixture if desired. Ensure everything is well combined and heated through.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Distribute 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole, covering the entire surface.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes at 375°F, until the cheese is completely melted and slightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 3-4 minutes. This helps the dish set and makes serving easier.
- Garnish with optional toppings: dollop ½ cup sour cream, sprinkle fresh cilantro, add sliced jalapeños, or arrange avocado slices on top.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to make a leaner or vegetarian version of the casserole.
- Use leftover rice or instant rice to save time and add extra flavor by using Mexican-style or cilantro-lime rice.
- For a spicier dish, add diced jalapeños to the meat mixture or use a hot salsa instead of mild.
- Keep the casserole gluten-free by checking that your taco seasoning and salsa are certified gluten-free and using rice instead of flour-based ingredients.
- Prep Time: 5-8 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg