Mexican Tortilla Casserole

Mexican tortilla casserole, also known as Mexican lasagna, is a delightful and hearty dish that brings the vibrant flavors of the Southwest to your table. It’s a layered casserole that combines tortillas, seasoned ground meat, beans, cheese, and a variety of delicious toppings. In this recipe, we’ll guide you through creating your own Mexican tortilla casserole that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or anytime you crave a taste of Tex-Mex comfort.

Ingredients:

For the Casserole:

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) corn kernels, drained (or use frozen corn)
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 12 small corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (or cheddar cheese)

For the Toppings (Optional):

• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Sliced green onions
• Sliced jalapeños
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Sliced black olives
• Avocado slices

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Meat

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until it’s browned and crumbled, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the meat and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
3. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

Step 3: Season and Add Beans and Vegetables

1. Return the skillet to the heat and add the drained black beans, corn kernels, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine everything.
2. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the excess liquid to reduce slightly. Remove it from the heat.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

1. Place 6 corn tortillas at the bottom of the greased baking dish, slightly overlapping them to create a base layer.
2. Spoon half of the meat and vegetable mixture over the tortillas.
3. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the meat mixture.
4. Add another layer of 6 corn tortillas on top of the cheese.
5. Spoon the remaining meat and vegetable mixture over the second tortilla layer.
6. Finish by sprinkling the remaining shredded cheese over the top.

Step 5: Bake the Casserole

1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
2. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

1. Allow the Mexican tortilla casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving.
2. Serve slices of the casserole with optional toppings like sour cream, salsa, sliced green onions, jalapeños, cilantro, black olives, and avocado slices.

 

Mexican tortilla casserole is a crowd-pleasing dish that captures the bold and spicy flavors of the Southwest. This layered casserole is a fantastic choice for weeknight dinners or gatherings with friends and family. Create your own slice of Tex-Mex comfort and enjoy the delicious layers of seasoned meat, beans, tortillas, and gooey cheese, all topped with your favorite garnishes. It’s a fiesta for your taste buds!