Fiesta in a Dish: Layered Mexican Casserole with Tortillas

Craving Mexican flavors but short on time? This layered Mexican casserole with tortillas is the answer! It’s a delicious, easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or anytime you want a comforting and flavorful dish. Imagine layers of seasoned ground meat, savory beans, vibrant corn, tangy salsa, and melted cheese, all nestled between soft tortillas. This casserole is a crowd-pleaser, customizable to your liking, and a guaranteed hit with the whole family. Let’s dive into the recipe!

## Why You’ll Love This Mexican Casserole

* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is surprisingly simple and doesn’t require any fancy cooking skills. It’s all about layering and baking!
* **Customizable:** You can easily adapt this recipe to your taste preferences. Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken, add your favorite vegetables, or adjust the spice level to your liking.
* **Perfect for Meal Prep:** This casserole is great for meal prepping. You can make it ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to eat. Leftovers are also delicious!
* **Family-Friendly:** Kids and adults alike will love this cheesy, flavorful casserole. It’s a great way to sneak in some vegetables too.
* **Budget-Friendly:** The ingredients are relatively inexpensive and easy to find at most grocery stores.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need to create this flavorful Mexican casserole:

* **Ground Meat:** 1 pound of ground beef is the classic choice, but you can also use ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option. Look for ground beef that is at least 80% lean to minimize grease.
* **Onion:** 1 medium yellow onion, chopped. Yellow onions provide a good balance of flavor and sweetness.
* **Garlic:** 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced. Fresh garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavor.
* **Taco Seasoning:** 1 packet (about 1 ounce) of taco seasoning. You can also make your own taco seasoning blend (recipe below!).
* **Canned Tomatoes:** 1 (14.5 ounce) can of diced tomatoes, undrained. Diced tomatoes add moisture and acidity to the filling.
* **Black Beans:** 1 (15 ounce) can of black beans, rinsed and drained. Black beans add protein and fiber.
* **Corn:** 1 (15 ounce) can of corn, drained. Corn adds sweetness and texture.
* **Salsa:** 1 cup of your favorite salsa. Use mild, medium, or hot salsa depending on your spice preference.
* **Tortillas:** 8-10 flour or corn tortillas, 6-inch size. Flour tortillas are softer, while corn tortillas have a more distinct flavor.
* **Cheese:** 2 cups of shredded cheese. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend all work well.
* **Optional Toppings:** Sour cream, guacamole, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, jalapenos.

**Homemade Taco Seasoning (Optional):**

If you prefer to make your own taco seasoning, here’s a simple recipe:

* 2 tablespoons chili powder
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1 teaspoon paprika
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
* 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Store in an airtight container.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious Mexican casserole:

**1. Prepare the Meat Filling:**

* Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
* Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
* Stir in the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

**2. Assemble the Casserole:**

* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
* Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture on the bottom of the dish.
* Top with a layer of tortillas, overlapping them as needed to cover the bottom of the dish. You may need to tear some tortillas to fit.
* Spread another layer of the meat mixture over the tortillas.
* Sprinkle with about 1/3 of the shredded cheese and 1/3 of the salsa.
* Repeat layers: tortillas, meat mixture, cheese, salsa.
* Finish with a final layer of tortillas, the remaining meat mixture, and the remaining cheese.

**3. Bake the Casserole:**

* Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
* Bake for 20 minutes.
* Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.

**4. Let it Rest and Serve:**

* Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving. This will allow the layers to set and make it easier to slice.
* Serve hot with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions.

## Tips for Success

* **Don’t Overfill the Skillet:** When browning the ground meat, avoid overcrowding the skillet. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure the meat browns evenly.
* **Drain the Grease:** Be sure to drain off any excess grease after browning the ground meat. This will prevent the casserole from becoming greasy.
* **Warm the Tortillas:** Warming the tortillas slightly before layering them in the casserole will make them more pliable and easier to work with. You can warm them in the microwave for a few seconds or in a dry skillet.
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking the casserole can dry it out. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
* **Let it Rest:** Allowing the casserole to rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving will help the layers set and make it easier to slice.
* **Customize the Spice Level:** Adjust the amount of taco seasoning and salsa to your liking to control the spice level of the casserole. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few chopped jalapenos for extra heat.

## Variations and Substitutions

This Mexican casserole is incredibly versatile and can be easily customized to suit your dietary needs and preferences. Here are a few ideas:

* **Vegetarian:** Omit the ground meat and add more beans, vegetables, or a vegetarian ground meat substitute.
* **Vegan:** Omit the cheese and use a vegan cheese alternative. You can also use a plant-based ground meat substitute.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.
* **Spicy:** Add chopped jalapenos, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the meat filling or salsa.
* **Different Beans:** Use pinto beans, kidney beans, or cannellini beans instead of black beans.
* **Add Vegetables:** Add diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to the meat filling.
* **Cream Cheese:** Spread a layer of softened cream cheese over the tortillas for a creamier casserole.
* **Sour Cream:** Mix sour cream into the meat filling for extra richness.
* **Green Chilies:** Add a can of diced green chilies to the meat filling for a mild kick.
* **Rotisserie Chicken:** Shredded rotisserie chicken makes a great substitute for ground meat.
* **Layered Nacho Casserole:** For a nacho twist, use tortilla chips instead of tortillas and top with your favorite nacho toppings.

## Serving Suggestions

This Mexican casserole is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a variety of sides and toppings:

* **Sour Cream:** A dollop of sour cream adds a cool and tangy contrast to the spicy flavors of the casserole.
* **Guacamole:** Creamy guacamole is a perfect complement to the casserole.
* **Chopped Cilantro:** Fresh cilantro adds a bright and herbaceous flavor.
* **Sliced Green Onions:** Green onions add a mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
* **Jalapenos:** Sliced jalapenos add extra heat.
* **Lime Wedges:** A squeeze of lime juice brightens the flavors of the casserole.
* **Spanish Rice:** Serve with a side of Spanish rice for a more substantial meal.
* **Refried Beans:** Refried beans are a classic Mexican side dish that pairs well with the casserole.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich and savory casserole.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

This Mexican casserole is perfect for making ahead of time. You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. When you’re ready to bake, simply remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed.

You can also freeze the assembled casserole for up to 3 months. Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Bake as directed, but you may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

## Storage Instructions

Store leftover Mexican casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 400-500 per serving (depending on ingredients and portion size)
* Protein: 25-35 grams per serving
* Fat: 20-30 grams per serving
* Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams per serving
* Fiber: 5-7 grams per serving

## Recipe Card

**Mexican Casserole with Tortillas**

A delicious and easy-to-make layered Mexican casserole with tortillas, perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks.

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30-35 minutes
**Total Time:** 50-55 minutes
**Servings:** 6-8

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken)
* 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
* 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
* 1 cup salsa
* 8-10 flour or corn tortillas (6-inch size)
* 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or Mexican blend)
* Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, jalapenos

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, brown ground meat over medium heat. Drain off excess grease. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
3. Stir in taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, until sauce thickens slightly.
4. Spread a thin layer of meat mixture on the bottom of the baking dish.
5. Top with a layer of tortillas, overlapping as needed.
6. Spread another layer of meat mixture over the tortillas.
7. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheese and 1/3 of the salsa.
8. Repeat layers: tortillas, meat mixture, cheese, salsa.
9. Finish with a final layer of tortillas, remaining meat mixture, and remaining cheese.
10. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10-15 minutes more, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving with your favorite toppings.

**Notes:**

* Customize the recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables, beans, or spices.
* Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free version.
* Make ahead of time and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

## Enjoy Your Fiesta!

This Mexican casserole with tortillas is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to make, customizable, and perfect for any occasion. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a fiesta in a dish! Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media using #MexicanCasserole #TortillaCasserole #EasyMexicanRecipe. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!