An easy Mexican casserole is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines the flavors of Mexican cuisine in a convenient casserole form. Here’s a simple recipe that you can try:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color you prefer)
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn kernels, drained
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
- 1 packet (1.25 ounces) taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips (about half of a regular-sized bag)
- Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Cook the ground meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until it’s browned and cooked through, breaking it apart into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Saute the veggies: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the cooked meat. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Add beans, corn, and tomatoes: Stir in the drained and rinsed black beans, drained corn kernels, and the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Mix well.
- Season and simmer: Sprinkle the taco seasoning mix over the meat and vegetable mixture. Stir to combine thoroughly. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of the greased baking dish. Layer the meat and vegetable mixture on top of the chips. Then, sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar and half of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the meat.
- Repeat layers: Add the remaining crushed tortilla chips as the next layer, followed by the remaining cheese.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Serve: Once done, remove the casserole from the oven. Allow it to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with optional toppings like sliced jalapeños, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and diced avocado.
This easy Mexican casserole is a crowd-pleaser and makes for a hearty, flavorful meal. You can customize it by adding other ingredients like olives, green onions, or hot sauce to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy!
