Easy Mexican Casserole Recipe

You're about to discover a quick Mexican casserole that'll transform your weeknight dinner routine. This dish combines classic flavors with simple preparation, promising a meal that's both impressive and hassle-free. Imagine layers of seasoned beef, soft tortillas, and melted cheese coming together in one irresistible pan—a culinary adventure waiting to happen. Want to know how to create this flavor-packed masterpiece that'll have your family asking for seconds?

Recipe Highlights

• A Mexican casserole combines layers of tortillas, seasoned ground beef, enchilada sauce, and cheese in a simple, one-dish meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.
• The basic recipe requires minimal ingredients: ground beef, corn tortillas, Mexican cheese blend, enchilada sauce, and taco seasoning, making preparation quick and straightforward.
• Cooking involves browning beef, layering tortillas and ingredients in a baking dish, and baking until cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.
• The dish is highly customizable, allowing substitutions like chicken or vegetarian protein, and optional additions such as green chilies, jalapeños, or sour cream.
• With just 30-40 minutes total time, including preparation and baking, this Mexican casserole offers a delicious, family-friendly meal that can be easily adapted to personal tastes.

History

Although Mexican casseroles might seem like a modern invention, they actually have deep roots in traditional Mexican cuisine. The concept of layering tortillas, meats, and cheeses dates back centuries, drawing inspiration from ancient Aztec and Mayan cooking techniques.

You'll find that these dishes evolved from traditional Mexican recipes like enchiladas and chilaquiles, which similarly combine tortillas with flavorful fillings. Indigenous cultures often created one-pot meals that efficiently used available ingredients, a practice that directly influenced modern casserole preparations.

Regional variations emerged across Mexico, with each area contributing unique spices, proteins, and cooking methods. By understanding these culinary traditions, you'll appreciate how contemporary Mexican casseroles represent a delicious fusion of historical cooking practices and modern convenience, transforming simple ingredients into a hearty, satisfying meal.

Recipe

Mexican casserole is a delightful dish that brings the vibrant flavors of Mexico right to your dinner table. This easy-to-prepare meal combines layers of tortillas, seasoned ground beef, zesty enchilada sauce, and melted cheese into a comforting and satisfying casserole that the whole family will love.

Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe requires minimal preparation and delivers maximum flavor. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a hearty meal that captures the essence of Mexican cuisine in a single baking dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 8 corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
• 1 packet taco seasoning

Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, ensuring it's fully cooked and crumbled. Drain any excess fat and stir in the taco seasoning, mixing thoroughly to coat the meat.

Begin layering the casserole by placing four tortillas across the bottom of the baking dish. Pour half the enchilada sauce over the tortillas, then spread the seasoned beef evenly. Sprinkle half the cheese over the beef.

Top with the remaining tortillas, then cover with the rest of the enchilada sauce and cheese. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

For the best results, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set properly. This allows the layers to firm up and makes serving easier. If you want extra crispy tortillas, consider lightly frying them in oil before layering, which will help prevent them from becoming soggy during baking.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated individually in the microwave.

Cooking Steps

Start by browning your ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, making sure to drain any excess fat and stir in the taco seasoning for a robust flavor profile.

Layer four corn tortillas across the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, creating a sturdy base for your casserole's delicious ingredients.

Pour half the enchilada sauce over the tortillas, add your seasoned beef in an even layer, and sprinkle generously with shredded Mexican cheese blend to create a mouthwatering foundation for your meal.

Step 1. Brown Ground Beef

Fire up your skillet and get ready to brown that ground beef with precision and flavor. Start by heating your pan over medium-high heat, allowing it to warm thoroughly before adding the meat.

Break the pound of ground beef into small, uniform crumbles as you introduce it to the skillet, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor development. Use a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon to continuously stir and break down larger chunks, creating a consistent texture.

Watch for the meat to transform from pink to a rich, uniform brown color, which typically takes 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat carefully to prevent a greasy final dish, then immediately stir in the taco seasoning, coating the meat completely and allowing the spices to bloom and intensify the overall flavor profile.

Step 2. Layer Tortillas in Dish

Once you've browned your ground beef and prepared your baking dish, it's time to create those delicious layers that'll transform simple ingredients into a mouthwatering casserole.

Start by greasing your 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Carefully arrange four corn tortillas across the bottom, slightly overlapping them to ensure complete coverage.

Pro tip: If you want extra crispiness, quickly fry tortillas in oil before layering. Next, evenly pour half the red enchilada sauce over these tortillas, creating a moisture-rich base that'll help prevent dryness. The sauce should generously coat the tortillas without completely saturating them.

This initial layer sets the foundation for your casserole's rich, authentic flavor profile. Make sure the tortillas are uniformly distributed to guarantee consistent texture in every bite.

Step 3. Pour Enchilada Sauce

After carefully layering your tortillas, you'll want to distribute the enchilada sauce with precision and care. The key is creating an even, thorough coverage that ensures every tortilla gets saturated with rich, tangy flavor.

Using a measuring cup or ladle, slowly pour half the can of red enchilada sauce across the tortilla layer, making sure to reach all edges and corners.

Tilt the baking dish slightly to help the sauce spread evenly, preventing dry spots that could compromise your casserole's texture. Let the sauce settle naturally into the tortilla's crevices, creating a moist foundation for the upcoming layers of seasoned beef and melted cheese.

Each deliberate pour contributes to the dish's overall moisture and depth of flavor.

Step 4. Add Seasoned Beef Layer

Because seasoning transforms ordinary ground beef into a mouthwatering Mexican casserole filling, you'll want to follow these key steps carefully.

First, drain the excess fat from your browned ground beef, ensuring a lean, flavorful base. Sprinkle the entire packet of taco seasoning over the meat, stirring thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly.

Key techniques include:

• Cooking beef until no pink remains
• Breaking meat into small, uniform crumbles
• Mixing seasoning completely

The seasoned beef should look glossy and well-coated, with a rich, reddish-brown color indicating proper spice integration.

When layering, spread the meat evenly across the tortillas, creating a consistent depth that ensures each bite delivers maximum flavor. This layer forms the protein-packed heart of your casserole, providing robust, zesty Mexican-inspired taste.

Step 5. Sprinkle Remaining Cheese

Sprinkle the remaining cheese generously across the top layer of your Mexican casserole, creating an even, golden blanket that will melt into a deliciously bubbling surface.

Use about 1 cup of the shredded Mexican cheese blend, ensuring complete coverage from edge to edge of the casserole dish. Your goal is a uniform layer that'll transform into a crispy, golden-brown topping during the final baking stage.

• Spread cheese in a consistent, gentle motion
• Cover all surface areas completely
• Leave no tortilla or filling exposed

Press the cheese lightly with your fingers to help it settle, but don't compact it. This allows the cheese to melt smoothly and create those irresistible crispy edges that'll make your casserole look professionally prepared.

The cheese will act as a delectable seal, locking in all the savory flavors underneath.

Final Thoughts

While Mexican casserole might seem intimidating to prepare, you'll find this recipe is surprisingly straightforward and adaptable to your family's tastes.

The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility—you can easily swap ground beef for chicken, turkey, or even a vegetarian protein alternative. Consider adding diced green chilies, sliced jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor and complexity.

Experiment with different cheese blends, like sharp cheddar or pepper jack, to customize the taste profile. The key is maintaining the basic layering technique and ensuring each component is well-seasoned.

With practice, you'll develop confidence in creating this hearty, satisfying meal that's sure to become a family favorite, delivering authentic Mexican-inspired comfort right to your dinner table.