Flavorful Mexican Tortilla Casserole Recipe for Family Dinners

Layers of warm, comforting mexican tortilla casserole promise a delightful culinary adventure for hungry souls.

Cheese melts between soft tortillas, creating a mouthwatering mosaic of flavors.

Spices dance across each bite, telling stories of traditional kitchens.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Bold colors and rich aromas invite you to savor every forkful.

Weeknight dinners just got more exciting with this simple yet spectacular dish.

Each serving promises to transport you straight to the heart of mexican comfort food.

Why Mexican Tortilla Casserole Works

• Crowd-Pleasing Layers: Packed with vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors, this casserole delivers multiple taste sensations in every delicious bite, making it an irresistible meal for the whole family.
• Stress-Free Preparation: Minimal chopping and simple layering techniques make this recipe beginner-friendly, allowing even novice cooks to create a restaurant-quality dish without complicated steps.
• Customizable Feast: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients, adding extra toppings like jalapeños or avocado, or adjusting spice levels to suit individual preferences and dietary needs.
• One-Pan Dish: Simplifies cooking and cleanup with a single baking dish, reducing kitchen mess and providing a convenient, hearty meal that requires minimal post-dinner effort.

Ingredients for Tortilla Casserole

• Ground Beef: Flavorful meat for the main protein.
• Taco Seasoning Mix: Adds traditional Mexican spice blend.

• Flour Tortillas: Soft, flexible base for layering.
• Refried Beans: Creamy, rich bean spread.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty topping.

• Onion: Aromatic and adds depth of flavor.
• White Rice: Fluffy grain base.
• Corn: Sweet and textural vegetable addition.
• Salsa: Zesty tomato-based sauce.

• Sour Cream, Diced Onion, Shredded Lettuce: Fresh topping options.

• Cooking Spray: For preventing sticking.
• Aluminum Foil: For covering during baking.

How to Make Tortilla Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to 350°F.

Grab a baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking oil so nothing sticks.

Step 2: Brown The Savory Meat

In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s perfectly browned.

Toss in diced onions and cook until they’re soft and translucent.

Drain any extra fat and mix in taco seasoning for a flavor explosion.

Step 3: Build The First Foundation

• Tortilla
• Refried beans
• Seasoned meat
• Cheddar cheese

Lay down the first tortilla.

Spread a layer of refried beans, then cover with seasoned meat.

Sprinkle a generous handful of cheddar cheese.

Step 4: Create The Second Level

• Another tortilla
• Rice
• Salsa
• Corn
• More cheese

Add another tortilla.

Spread rice across the surface.

Pour salsa evenly and scatter corn kernels.

Add another layer of cheese for extra deliciousness.

Step 5: Construct The Third Story

• Tortilla
• More refried beans
• Additional meat
• Cheese

Position another tortilla.

Spread more refried beans and meat.

Shower with more cheddar cheese.

Step 6: Crown The Casserole

Top with the final tortilla.

Layer remaining beans, meat, corn, rice, and salsa.

Finish with a blanket of cheese.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Bake for 40 minutes.

Remove foil and continue baking 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 8: Rest And Garnish

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes.

This helps the layers settle.

• Sour cream
• Diced onions
• Shredded lettuce

Slice and serve your spectacular Mexican Tortilla Tower!

Tortilla Casserole Cooking Tips

• Remove excess grease from ground beef to prevent a greasy, heavy casserole and ensure a cleaner, lighter texture.
• Create even layers by using a spatula to spread ingredients uniformly, guaranteeing balanced flavors in every bite.
• Adjust taco seasoning or add fresh jalapeños to control heat intensity for different taste preferences.
• Experiment with pepper jack, monterey jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for more complex and authentic flavor profiles.
• Assemble the casserole in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, making meal planning more convenient.

Save & Reheat Tortilla Casserole

• Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date and contents.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover with foil and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for last 5 minutes to crisp cheese.
• Cut individual portions. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature. Add small splash of water to prevent drying out.

What to Serve With Tortilla Casserole

• Pair Zesty Mexican Beer: Crack open a cold Corona or Modelo Especial that perfectly complements the spicy, rich flavors of the tortilla casserole. The light, crisp beer cuts through the heavy cheese and meat, refreshing your palate with each bite.
• Enhance with Fresh Margarita: Whip up a classic lime margarita with tequila, fresh lime juice, and a salted rim. The citrusy, tangy drink balances the casserole's hearty ingredients and adds a bright, festive touch to your meal.
• Cool Down with Creamy Side: Serve a simple homemade guacamole or fresh pico de gallo on the side. These cool, fresh accompaniments provide a crisp contrast to the warm, cheesy casserole and add extra layers of authentic Mexican flavor.
• Elevate with Red Wine Pairing: Choose a medium-bodied red like Tempranillo or Malbec. These wines offer robust, fruity notes that stand up to the casserole's rich beef and cheese while cutting through the dish's intense flavors.

Flavorful Takes on Tortilla Casserole

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef with black beans or plant-based protein crumbles for a meat-free version that maintains rich flavor and protein content.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas and use gluten-free taco seasoning to create a celiac-friendly meal that's just as satisfying.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace tortillas with large lettuce leaves or thin zucchini slices and swap rice with cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the Mexican-inspired taste profile.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced jalapeños, green chiles, or hot sauce between layers for those who love extra heat and want to amplify the casserole's zesty character.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in this Mexican Tortilla Casserole?

The key ingredients include ground beef, tortillas, refried beans, rice, salsa, corn, and shredded cheddar cheese. Taco seasoning adds extra flavor to the meat mixture.

• Is this dish considered spicy?

The spice level depends on the taco seasoning and salsa you choose. You can control the heat by selecting mild seasoning and salsa or opting for medium or hot versions.

• Can I make this casserole vegetarian?

Yes, replace the ground beef with plant-based ground meat, black beans, or additional vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini. Ensure you still use taco seasoning for authentic flavor.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use lean ground beef or ground turkey, choose low-fat cheese, incorporate more vegetables, and use whole wheat tortillas. You can also reduce the amount of cheese or use a reduced-fat version.

Mexican Tortilla Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Layered Mexican Tortilla Casserole delivers a fiesta of flavors straight from traditional Mexican kitchens. Melted cheese, spicy proteins, and crisp tortillas combine into a hearty dish that brings comfort and excitement to dinner tables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins and Meat:

• 1 pound (453.6 grams) ground beef

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 pack taco seasoning mix

Vegetables and Legumes:

• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 can refried beans
• 1 can Mexican blend corn, drained

Grains and Starches:

• 1 cup prepared rice
• 4–5 large flour tortillas

Dairy and Cheese:

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Sauces and Condiments:

• 8 ounces (226.8 grams) thick chunky salsa, mild or hot

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring complete surface coverage for easy removal.
2. In a robust skillet, transform ground beef into a rich, crumbly texture over medium-high heat. Incorporate diced onions, cooking until onions become translucent and beef reaches a perfect brown hue.
3. Infuse the meat mixture with vibrant taco seasoning, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly and eliminate excess grease.
4. Construct the foundation layer by gently positioning a tortilla at the base of the prepared dish. Lavishly spread a portion of refried beans, creating a creamy base.
5. Distribute seasoned beef generously over the bean layer, ensuring uniform coverage. Sprinkle a generous handful of sharp cheddar cheese to enhance the flavor profile.
6. Carefully place another tortilla atop the first layer, creating a stable foundation for subsequent ingredients.
7. Distribute rice across the tortilla, creating a golden blanket of texture. Cascade salsa evenly, allowing it to seep into the rice’s crevices.
8. Scatter corn kernels strategically, providing bursts of sweetness and color. Crown this layer with another handful of melty cheddar cheese.
9. Continue layering with alternating tortillas, refried beans, seasoned meat, and cheese, building a harmonious flavor landscape.
10. For the ultimate layer, arrange the final tortilla and lavish it with remaining ingredients – beans, meat, corn, rice, and a final flourish of cheese.
11. Shield the casserole with aluminum foil, creating a protective barrier during initial baking. Place in a preheated oven at 350°F, allowing flavors to meld for approximately 40 minutes.
12. Unveil the foil for the final 10-15 minutes, encouraging the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
13. Allow the casserole to rest briefly after removing from the oven, enabling layers to settle and making precise cutting easier.
14. Embellish with optional garnishes like cool sour cream, crisp diced onions, or fresh shredded lettuce to elevate the presentation.

Notes

• Customize the spice level by adjusting the taco seasoning mix or adding extra chili powder for more heat.
• Use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey for a lighter protein option.
• Swap tortillas with gluten-free alternatives for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline the layering process and reduce cooking stress.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg