Description
Layered tex-mex delight brings zesty southwestern flavors dancing across hungry palates with bold, creamy textures. Cheesy corn tortillas, spicy ground beef, and rich sauces create a mouthwatering celebration of Mexican-inspired comfort you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 ¼ pounds (0.57 kg) ground beef or ground turkey
- 2 cups (473 ml) coarsely grated Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 cups (473 ml) coarsely grated mild cheddar cheese
- 1 (14-ounce / 397 grams) can refried pinto beans
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (7-ounce / 198 grams) can diced green Anaheim chiles
- 1 (28-ounce / 794 grams) can crushed or diced tomatoes, preferably fire roasted
- Iceberg lettuce
- Avocado
- Cilantro
Spices, Oils, and Other Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander seeds
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 (6-inch / 15 cm) corn tortillas
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Transform a large sauté pan into a sizzling culinary stage by heating olive oil over medium-high temperature. Introduce ground meat seasoned with aromatic spices, allowing it to brown and develop deep, rich flavors. Transfer the meat to a waiting plate.
- Without cleaning the pan, drizzle additional olive oil and invite chopped onions and vibrant bell peppers to dance until they soften and become translucent. Incorporate minced garlic, diced tomatoes, zesty chiles, and fragrant oregano, creating a robust vegetable sauce that will simmer and meld together for 15-20 minutes.
- Prepare tortillas for their starring role by gently frying them in hot olive oil until they become pliable and slightly crisp. Allow excess oil to gracefully drain on absorbent paper towels.
- Craft layers of deliciousness in a spacious 9×13-inch baking dish. Construct the first stratum with tortillas as the foundation, followed by creamy refried beans, the seasoned meat mixture, a generous sprinkle of cheese, and the vibrant vegetable sauce. Repeat the layering process, concluding with a crown of remaining cheese.
- Slide the assembled masterpiece into a preheated 350°F oven, allowing it to bake until the edges bubble and the cheese melts into a golden, enticing blanket. After removing from the oven, grant the dish a brief resting period of 10-15 minutes to settle and intensify its flavors before serving.
Notes
- Prep Ahead: Chop vegetables and measure spices in advance to streamline the cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.
- Meat Selection: Choose lean ground beef or turkey for a healthier version, ensuring a flavorful and lighter dish.
- Tortilla Tip: Briefly fry tortillas to enhance flavor and prevent sogginess, creating a crispy layered texture.
- Cheese Variation: Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or Mexican cheese mix for added depth and excitement.
- Spice Control: Adjust chile and spice levels to suit your heat tolerance, making the dish personalized and enjoyable for everyone.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This casserole can be assembled a day in advance and refrigerated, perfect for busy weeknight meals or entertaining.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg