Mexican Casserole

Packed with bold flavors, melty cheese, and layers of hearty goodness, this Mexican Casserole is the ultimate comfort food with a fiesta twist! It combines seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, salsa, and tortillas into a bubbly, cheesy bake that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks. Easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and ready in under an hour — it’s everything you love about Mexican flavors in one delicious dish.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into halves or strips
• 2 cups shredded Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
• Fresh cilantro, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven: Set to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the meat is browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess grease.
3. Add the flavor: Stir in black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, salsa, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5–7 minutes to blend the flavors.
4. Layer the casserole:
   • Spread a thin layer of the beef mixture on the bottom of the baking dish.
   • Add a layer of tortilla pieces.
   • Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese.
   • Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with cheese on top.
5. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
6. Rest before serving: Let the casserole sit for 5–10 minutes before cutting — this helps it hold together.
7. Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and sliced jalapeños if desired.

Pro Tips

• Add cooked rice or quinoa for a heartier version.
• Swap ground beef for shredded chicken for a lighter twist.
• Spice lovers can add a few spoonfuls of chipotle peppers in adobo to the beef mix.
• Perfect for meal prep — it reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day!