Description
Mexican-inspired taco casserole melds layers of spiced ground beef, crispy tortillas, and melted cheese into a comforting dinner. Hearty flavors and simple ingredients create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar, Monterey Jack, etc.)
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- 1 cup salsa (mild or spicy, based on preference)
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (10 oz/283 g) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsps homemade taco seasoning)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup frozen corn (optional)
- ½ cup sour cream (optional, for creaminess)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C), creating the optimal thermal environment for the impending culinary adventure.
- Meat Foundation: In a large skillet, sauté ground beef with onions until the meat caramelizes and cooks completely, developing a rich, golden-brown texture.
- Flavor Infusion: Introduce taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, black beans, and corn to the meat mixture, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and intensify their collective flavor profile.
- Casserole Assembly: Spread a thin salsa base in a 9×13-inch baking dish, then layer tortillas to create a comprehensive foundation, slightly overlapping to ensure complete coverage.
- Layering Strategy: Distribute half the seasoned meat mixture over the tortillas, followed by a generous spread of sour cream and a third of the shredded cheese, creating a robust and creamy landscape.
- Repeated Construction: Add another tortilla layer, remaining meat mixture, and an additional cheese coating, building depth and complexity within the casserole structure.
- Final Composition: Top with remaining tortillas, drench with residual salsa, and complete with a final cheese blanket that promises a golden, bubbling surface.
- Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a molten, enticing topping.
- Finishing Touch: Allow the casserole to rest briefly, then garnish with fresh cilantro and serve alongside guacamole, additional salsa, or spicy jalapeños to elevate the dining experience.
Notes
- Optimize Meat Browning: Ensure ground beef is cooked at high heat with minimal stirring to achieve perfect golden-brown caramelization, enhancing deep flavor profiles and preventing soggy texture.
- Tortilla Layer Strategy: Use slightly stale or warmed tortillas to prevent excessive moisture absorption, maintaining structural integrity and preventing a mushy casserole bottom.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Select full-fat cheese varieties and grate fresh for superior melting quality, creating a creamy, stretchy top layer that browns beautifully without becoming greasy.
- Dietary Modification Options: Easily transform the recipe by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, or black beans for vegetarian/lighter protein alternatives without compromising overall taste complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg