Mexican Quesadilla Casserole: An Easy and Delicious Family Dinner
Looking for a quick, easy, and satisfying dinner that the whole family will love? Look no further than this Mexican Quesadilla Casserole! It’s a layered dish packed with flavorful ground beef (or your protein of choice), cheese, tortillas, and your favorite Mexican toppings. It’s essentially a giant, shareable quesadilla baked to golden, bubbly perfection. This recipe is incredibly versatile and can be easily adapted to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover ingredients!
Why You’ll Love This Quesadilla Casserole
* **Easy to Make:** With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this casserole comes together in under an hour.
* **Family-Friendly:** Kids and adults alike will devour this cheesy, flavorful meal.
* **Versatile:** Customize the fillings to your liking with different meats, veggies, and cheeses.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** Prepare the casserole ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to eat.
* **Great for Leftovers:** This casserole tastes even better the next day!
Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Ground Beef (or alternative protein):** 1 pound of ground beef is the classic choice, but you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, shredded chicken, or even black beans for a vegetarian option.
* **Onion:** 1 medium onion, chopped, adds flavor and depth to the meat filling.
* **Bell Pepper:** 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped, provides sweetness and a bit of crunch.
* **Taco Seasoning:** 1 packet of taco seasoning provides that authentic Mexican flavor. You can also make your own taco seasoning blend.
* **Tomato Sauce:** 1 (15-ounce) can of tomato sauce helps to bind the filling together and adds moisture.
* **Corn Tortillas:** 8-10 corn tortillas are the base of the casserole. Flour tortillas can be used in a pinch, but corn tortillas hold up better in the baking process.
* **Shredded Cheese:** 2-3 cups of shredded cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend. Use your favorite cheese or a combination of cheeses.
* **Optional Toppings:** Sour cream, salsa, guacamole, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, jalapenos.
Equipment Needed
* **Large Skillet:** For browning the ground beef and cooking the vegetables.
* **9×13 inch Baking Dish:** This is the ideal size for a family-sized casserole.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate ingredient measurements.
* **Spatula:** For stirring and spreading the filling.
Step-by-Step Instructions
**1. Prepare the Meat Filling:**
* Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef (or your chosen protein) and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned.
* Drain off any excess grease.
* Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
* Stir in the taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.
* Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add salt, pepper, or extra taco seasoning to your liking.
**2. Assemble the Casserole:**
* Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
* Spread a thin layer of the meat filling on the bottom of the baking dish.
* Arrange 3-4 corn tortillas over the meat filling, overlapping as needed to cover the bottom of the dish.
* Sprinkle about 1 cup of shredded cheese over the tortillas.
* Repeat layers: meat filling, tortillas, and cheese, until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of cheese on top. Usually, you will get 3 layers of tortillas with filling in between.
**3. Bake the Casserole:**
* Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
* Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
**4. Let it Rest:**
* Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving. This will help the layers set and prevent it from falling apart.
**5. Serve and Enjoy:**
* Cut the quesadilla casserole into squares or rectangles and serve hot. Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, and sliced green onions.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Quesadilla Casserole
* **Don’t Overfill:** Avoid overfilling the casserole with too much meat filling, as this can make it difficult to cut and serve. A thin, even layer of filling is best.
* **Use Quality Ingredients:** The quality of your ingredients will directly impact the flavor of the casserole. Use fresh vegetables, good-quality cheese, and flavorful taco seasoning.
* **Warm the Tortillas:** Warming the tortillas slightly before assembling the casserole can help them become more pliable and prevent them from cracking. You can warm them in the microwave or on a dry skillet.
* **Prevent Soggy Tortillas:** To prevent the tortillas from becoming soggy, avoid using overly wet meat filling. Make sure to drain off any excess grease after browning the ground beef and don’t add too much tomato sauce.
* **Cheese, Please!:** Don’t skimp on the cheese! A generous layer of cheese on top of the casserole will create a golden, bubbly crust that everyone will love. Using different cheese combinations can add a lot of flavor to the casserole.
* **Make it Spicy:** If you like a little heat, add some diced jalapenos to the meat filling or sprinkle some cayenne pepper into the taco seasoning.
* **Customize Your Toppings:** The toppings are where you can really get creative and customize the casserole to your liking. Offer a variety of toppings for your family and friends to choose from.
Variations and Substitutions
* **Vegetarian Quesadilla Casserole:** Substitute the ground beef with black beans, pinto beans, or a vegetarian ground meat alternative.
* **Chicken Quesadilla Casserole:** Use shredded chicken or diced chicken breast instead of ground beef. Cook the chicken with the onion, bell pepper, and taco seasoning.
* **Spicy Quesadilla Casserole:** Add diced jalapenos, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce to the meat filling.
* **Creamy Quesadilla Casserole:** Mix cream cheese into the meat filling for a richer, creamier texture.
* **Seafood Quesadilla Casserole:** Substitute the ground beef with cooked shrimp or crabmeat. Be careful not to overcook the seafood.
* **Add Veggies:** Incorporate other vegetables into the meat filling, such as corn, zucchini, or spinach.
* **Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack, queso quesadilla, or Oaxaca cheese.
* **Use different tortilla types:** You can use whole wheat tortillas, or even flavored tortillas like sun-dried tomato or spinach tortillas.
Serving Suggestions
This Mexican Quesadilla Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a variety of side dishes, such as:
* **Mexican Rice:** A classic side dish that pairs perfectly with the casserole.
* **Refried Beans:** Another traditional Mexican side dish.
* **Mexican Street Corn Salad:** A refreshing and flavorful salad.
* **Guacamole and Chips:** A simple and satisfying appetizer or side dish.
* **Side Salad:** A light and refreshing salad to balance out the richness of the casserole.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
**Make-Ahead:**
You can assemble the quesadilla casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, preheat the oven and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.
**Storage:**
Leftover quesadilla casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. You can reheat the casserole in the microwave or in the oven. To reheat in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
**Freezing:**
You can also freeze the quesadilla casserole for longer storage. Let the casserole cool completely, then cut it into individual portions. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight, then bake in the oven as directed.
Nutritional Information (approximate)
* Calories: 400-500 per serving (depending on ingredients)
* Fat: 20-30g
* Saturated Fat: 10-15g
* Cholesterol: 80-100mg
* Sodium: 800-1000mg
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g
* Fiber: 5-7g
* Protein: 25-35g
*Note: This is an estimate and will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.*
Recipe Card
**Mexican Quesadilla Casserole**
A cheesy, flavorful, and easy-to-make casserole perfect for a family dinner.
**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30 minutes
**Total Time:** 50 minutes
**Servings:** 6-8
**Ingredients:**
* 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or black beans)
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
* 1 packet taco seasoning
* 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
* 8-10 corn tortillas
* 2-3 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican blend)
* Optional Toppings: Sour cream, salsa, guacamole, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, 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 the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in the taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Spread a thin layer of the meat filling on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
6. Arrange 3-4 corn tortillas over the meat filling, overlapping as needed to cover the bottom of the dish.
7. Sprinkle about 1 cup of shredded cheese over the tortillas.
8. Repeat layers: meat filling, tortillas, and cheese, until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of cheese on top.
9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
10. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
11. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
12. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
**Notes:**
* Customize the filling and toppings to your liking.
* For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with black beans.
* Make ahead of time and bake when ready to eat.
Enjoy!
Conclusion
This Mexican Quesadilla Casserole is a winner for busy weeknights or potlucks. It’s a simple, delicious, and customizable dish that the whole family will love. The layering process makes it fun to prepare, and the results are always satisfying. The versatility of the ingredients means you can easily adapt it to suit your tastes and dietary needs. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a fiesta in a baking dish! Don’t forget to share your variations and topping ideas in the comments below. Happy cooking!