Why Make This Recipe
Mexican Ground Beef Casserole is a perfect dish for busy weeknights or family gatherings. It combines the hearty flavors of ground beef, spices, and cheese, all layered with tortillas. It’s simple to make, satisfying, and can appeal to both kids and adults alike. The best part? You can customize it with your favorite toppings!
How to Make Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (1 oz.) packets taco seasoning
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 (10 oz.) cans Rotel, drained
- 1 (15 oz.) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 (16 oz.) can refried beans
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups (8 oz.) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 cups (8 oz.) cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven, brown the ground beef until it’s cooked. Remove the beef and set aside. Drain any fat from the pot.
- Sauté the onions in some oil until soft. Add garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.
- Add the beef back to the pan. Mix in taco seasoning, tomato paste, and water according to the taco seasoning packet instructions. Let it simmer until the water has cooked down.
- Stir in Rotel, corn, black beans, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes until the beef mixture thickens and flavors blend well. Do a taste test and adjust seasonings, if needed.
- Combine the shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese in a bowl and mix well.
- Line the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish with 6 tortillas, overlapping them to cover the surface completely.
- Spread half of the refried beans on top of the tortillas, then add half of the beef mixture, followed by half of the cheese.
- Repeat the layers: 6 tortillas, remaining refried beans, remaining beef mixture, and remaining cheese.
- Bake uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it stand for 10 minutes before garnishing with your favorite toppings. Serve warm and enjoy!
How to Serve Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
You can serve Mexican Ground Beef Casserole with a variety of toppings. Popular choices include sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, or fresh cilantro. This dish pairs well with a side of salad or some tortilla chips for a crunchy texture.
How to Store Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
If you have leftovers, cool the casserole completely before storing it. Place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. Just make sure to thaw it in the fridge before reheating.
Tips to Make Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
- You can prepare the beef mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer to save time.
- Feel free to add extra veggies like bell peppers or zucchini for more flavor and nutrition.
- Experiment with different types of cheese based on your preference.
Variation
For a healthier twist, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef. You can also swap the corn tortillas for whole wheat tortillas for a little extra fiber.
FAQs
1. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the casserole up to the baking step and refrigerate it. Bake it just before serving.
2. Is this casserole spicy?
The spiciness can vary based on the taco seasoning and Rotel you use. If you prefer mild, look for mild taco seasoning and use tomatoes without added chilies.
3. Can I use different beans?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap black beans for pinto beans or kidney beans, depending on your taste preference.
Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
- Total Time: 45
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A hearty and customizable casserole featuring layers of ground beef, cheese, and tortillas, perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (1 oz.) packets taco seasoning
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 (10 oz.) cans Rotel, drained
- 1 (15 oz.) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 (16 oz.) can refried beans
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups (8 oz.) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 cups (8 oz.) cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven, brown the ground beef until cooked. Remove and set aside, draining fat from the pot.
- Sauté the onions in some oil until soft. Add garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.
- Add the beef back to the pan. Mix in taco seasoning, tomato paste, and water according to taco seasoning packet instructions. Simmer until water has cooked down.
- Stir in Rotel, corn, black beans, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes until mixture thickens and flavors blend. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Combine the shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese in a bowl and mix well.
- Line the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish with 6 tortillas, overlapping to cover the surface.
- Spread half of the refried beans on tortillas, then add half of the beef mixture, followed by half of the cheese.
- Repeat the layers: 6 tortillas, remaining refried beans, remaining beef mixture, and remaining cheese.
- Bake uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it stand for 10 minutes before garnishing with toppings. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
You can prepare the beef mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer to save time. Experiment with different cheeses and veggie additions.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: beef casserole, Mexican casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, family recipe