Mexican casserole is a tasty and comforting Mexican dish. This easy to make and delicious casserole can be served as a main dish or as a side dish. There are various versions of this Mexican casserole and they all use some combination of beef and cheese. The Mexican Casserole is usually served with some tortilla chips and guacamole.
How to Prepare Mexican Casserole
With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a hearty and flavorful Mexican Casserole that everyone will love. Whether it’s a family dinner or a potluck with friends, this dish is sure to impress. Let’s explore the ingredients and directions to master this wonderful dish.
Ingredients for Mexican Casserole
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef drained or rinsed
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- ¼ cup canned jalapeno slices, chopped
- 2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped or 1 (15 ounces) can diced canned tomatoes
- 1 15 ounces can kernel corn (drained)
- 1 15 ounces can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 1¼ ounce package taco seasoning mix
- 8 corn tortillas
- ¾ cup nonfat sour cream
- ⅓ cup reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, shredded
- ⅓ bunch fresh cilantro, chopped, to taste (or less or more)
Directions for Mexican Casserole
- Brown ground beef and chopped onions in a large skillet; brown 10 to 12 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, stirring constantly.
- Drain well and rinse with warm water to remove all fat; return beef/onions to skillet.
- Add corn, black beans, tomatoes, chilies/jalapenos, and taco seasoning mix; mix well. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, spray a 12×8-inch (2-quart) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cut each tortilla in half; place 8 halves in the bottom of the sprayed baking dish, overlapping slightly.
- Spoon half of the beef mixture evenly over tortillas. Spoon sour cream over beef mixture; spread evenly. Top with the remaining 8 tortilla halves and the remaining beef mixture. (Cover tightly with foil & Freeze for later OR cook as directed below…).
- (Thaw overnight if frozen) Heat oven to 350ºF. Bake at 350ºF for 25 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve with fresh chopped lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, black olives, etc.
What can I use instead of ground beef?
You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or a meat alternative for a vegetarian option.
Can I freeze the Mexican Casserole for later?
Yes, you can freeze the casserole before baking and simply thaw it overnight when ready to bake.
What can be served with Mexican Casserole?
Complement this dish with sides like Mexican rice, refried beans, or a simple green salad.
How can I make this dish spicier?
Add more jalapenos or a dash of cayenne pepper to increase the heat.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole ahead and refrigerate or freeze it until you’re ready to bake.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
As long as you use gluten-free corn tortillas and taco seasoning, this recipe can easily be made gluten-free.
So there you have it, a step-by-step guide to creating a Mexican Casserole that’s full of flavor and sure to be a hit. Happy cooking!
Mexican Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef drained or rinsed!
- ½ cup onion chopped
- ¼ cup canned jalapeno slices chopped
- 2 cups fresh tomatoes chopped or 1 (15 ounces) can diced canned tomatoes
- 1 15 ounces can kernel corn (drained)
- 1 15 ounces can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 1¼ ounce package taco seasoning mix
- 8 corn tortillas
- ¾ cup nonfat sour cream
- ⅓ cup reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend shredded
- ⅓ bunch fresh cilantro chopped, to taste (or less (or more)
Instructions
- Brown ground beef and chopped onions in large skillet; brown 10 to 12 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, stirring constantly.
- Drain well and rinse with warm water to remove all fat; return beef/onions to skillet.
- Add corn, black beans, tomatoes, chilies/jalapenos, and taco seasoning mix; mix well. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, spray 12×8-inch (2-quart) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cut each tortilla in half; place 8 halves in the bottom of the sprayed baking dish, overlapping slightly.
- Spoon half of the beef mixture evenly over tortillas. Spoon sour cream over beef mixture; spread evenly. Top with the remaining 8 tortilla halves and the remaining beef mixture. (Cover tightly with foil & Freeze for later OR cook as directed below…).
- (Thaw overnight if frozen) Heat oven to 350ºF. Bake at 350ºF for 25 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve with fresh chopped lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, black olives, etc… /.
