Description
Hearty tex mex casserole brings together zesty southwestern flavors in one comforting dish. Layers of spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and crisp tortilla chips create a mouthwatering meal that satisfies your craving for bold, homestyle cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 1 pound ground beef
Beans and Vegetables:
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy, Cheese, and Toppings:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 0.25 cup chopped cilantro
Optional Toppings:
- Sliced jalapeños
- Chopped green onions
- Sliced black olives
- Avocado slices
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F, preparing a welcoming environment for the casserole’s transformation.
- Sauté ground beef with aromatic onions and garlic in a large skillet, cooking until the meat turns a rich, golden brown. Carefully drain away any excess fat.
- Infuse the meat with vibrant flavors by incorporating black beans, sweet corn, zesty diced tomatoes, and a robust taco seasoning. Allow the mixture to simmer and meld together for 5-7 minutes.
- Create a delectable foundation in a baking dish by layering crisp tortilla chips as the base.
- Generously spread the seasoned beef mixture over the chips, ensuring even coverage.
- Sprinkle a lavish layer of shredded cheese to add creamy richness and depth.
- Repeat the layering process, building a delicious architectural marvel of chips, meat, and cheese.
- Crown the casserole with a final, abundant layer of cheese for maximum golden-brown potential.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese becomes irresistibly bubbly and develops a beautiful golden crust.
- Once removed from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for a burst of herbal freshness.
- Serve immediately, accompanied by cool sour cream or zesty salsa to complement the dish’s bold flavors.
Notes
- Make this dish gluten-free by using corn tortilla chips and checking taco seasoning labels for wheat-based ingredients.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or shredded jackfruit for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, hearty texture.
- Control spice levels by choosing mild taco seasoning or adding diced green chiles for a subtle kick without overwhelming heat.
- Enhance meal prep by assembling the casserole ahead of time and refrigerating until ready to bake, which allows flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 397 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg