Description
Hearty Mexican-inspired beef casserole brings comfort and zest to family dinner tables with layers of savory ground beef, cheese, and tortillas. Bold spices and melted cheese make this dish a crowd-pleasing classic you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 2 cups pasta (any type)
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetable Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, preparing it for the upcoming culinary creation.
- Cook the pasta in boiling water until it reaches an al dente consistency, then carefully drain and set aside.
- Heat a splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium flame, creating a perfect cooking environment.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the aromatic vegetable mixture, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking until it achieves a rich, brown color.
- Eliminate excess grease from the meat by carefully draining the fat from the skillet.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop deep flavors.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta into the beef mixture, ensuring every piece is well-coated with the savory sauce.
- Incorporate sour cream, creating a creamy texture that binds the ingredients together.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese into the mixture, stirring to distribute evenly.
- Transfer the entire concoction to a prepared casserole dish, spreading it out smoothly.
- Crown the casserole with the remaining cheese, creating an enticing golden topping.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven, baking until the cheese melts into a bubbling, golden blanket.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors settle.
- Dish out generous portions and savor the comforting, homemade meal.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to make weeknight cooking faster and easier, especially chopping onions and measuring spices in advance.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini during the sauté stage to boost nutrition and create more texture in the casserole.
- Use gluten-free pasta and check seasoning ingredients to make this recipe completely gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg