Description
Hearty Mexican Casserole brings zesty layers of comfort to dinner tables, blending spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and crisp tortilla chips. Packed with bold flavors and simple ingredients, this dish promises a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 2 cups (226 g) shredded Mexican blend cheese
Beans and Vegetables:
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles
Flavor and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup (240 ml) salsa
- 10 small tortillas (corn or flour)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, preparing a welcoming environment for your culinary creation.
- In a robust skillet, transform the ground beef into a rich, caramelized masterpiece, carefully eliminating any lingering fat through thorough draining.
- Infuse the meat with vibrant flavor by incorporating zesty taco seasoning, chunky salsa, robust diced tomatoes, hearty black beans, and sweet corn kernels. Allow the mixture to meld and simmer, developing deep, complex flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
- Prepare a generously greased baking vessel, crafting strategic layers: first, a foundation of soft tortillas, followed by a generous spread of the seasoned meat mixture, then a lavish blanket of shredded cheese.
- Repeat the layering process, ensuring each stratum is generously adorned, with a final crowning layer of melting cheese that promises a golden, enticing surface.
- Slide the assembled casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 20-25 minutes until the cheese reaches a state of molten perfection and develops appetizing bubbling edges.
- After removing from the oven, permit the casserole a brief moment to settle and cool slightly, which helps the layers maintain structural integrity.
- Optional: Enhance the dish’s creamy texture by garnishing with a dollop of cool, tangy sour cream just before serving.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by choosing mild, medium, or spicy salsa based on your preference.
- Use ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian alternative to beef.
- Swap corn tortillas for whole wheat or gluten-free options to accommodate dietary needs.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding extra veggies like bell peppers or spinach to the beef mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 415
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg