This Easy Mexican Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, combining layers of crunchy tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, beans, and melty cheese for a dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. Ready in under an hour, this hearty casserole brings the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine to your dinner table with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and easy-to-find items
- Quick Preparation: Takes just 15 minutes to assemble before baking
- Family-Friendly: Appeals to both kids and adults
- Customizable: Easy to adapt based on your taste preferences
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepared in advance for busy weeknights
- Comfort Food: Delivers the perfect combination of textures and flavors
- Great for Gatherings: Feeds a crowd and is always a hit at potlucks
Ingredients
Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for the best flavor without excess fat. It forms the protein base of your casserole.
Ranch Style Beans: These seasoned beans add a smoky, slightly sweet flavor that complements the other Mexican flavors perfectly.
Tortilla Chips: Choose your favorite brand. They’ll add a necessary crunch and authentic corn flavor to balance the softer ingredients.
Ro-tel Tomatoes: These tomatoes with green chilies provide both acidity and a mild heat that brings the dish to life.
Onion: A small chopped onion adds aromatic depth and slight sweetness when cooked.
Cheddar Cheese: The melty, sharp flavor of cheddar is perfect here, creating those irresistible cheese pulls.
Taco Seasoning: This spice blend brings authentic Mexican flavors with cumin, chili powder, and other spices.
Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds creaminess and helps bind all the ingredients together while adding savory flavor.
Water: Helps to create the perfect consistency in the sauce.
Sour Cream and Salsa: These toppings add freshness and brightness to each serving.
Variations
Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option, or try vegetarian crumbles for a meatless version.
Bean Varieties: If Ranch Style beans aren’t available, use pinto beans, black beans, or a combination of your favorites.
Spice Level: Add jalapeños or use hot Ro-tel for extra heat, or opt for mild salsa and plain diced tomatoes for a milder version.
Cheese Options: Try a Mexican cheese blend, pepper jack for extra heat, or a combination of monterey jack and cheddar.
Tex-Mex Twist: Add corn, bell peppers, and black olives for a more colorful and vegetable-rich casserole.
Layering Alternative: Mix all ingredients together instead of layering for a different texture experience.
How to Make the Recipe
- Preheat and Prep: Set your oven to 325°F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish.
- Cook the Meat Mixture: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, drain excess fat, then add the beans, Ro-tel tomatoes, chopped onion, taco seasoning, cream of chicken soup, and water. Simmer until well combined and heated through.
- Layer the Casserole:
- Start with a layer of crushed tortilla chips on the bottom of your prepared dish
- Add half of the meat mixture
- Sprinkle with half the cheddar cheese
- Repeat layers with remaining chips, meat mixture, and cheese
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Rest: Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to set the layers.
- Serve: Top with sour cream and salsa before enjoying.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Crush Chips Properly: Don’t pulverize the tortilla chips into dust. Leave some larger pieces for texture contrast.
- Cheese Strategy: Reserve a small portion of cheese to sprinkle on top during the last 5 minutes of baking for a perfectly golden, bubbly top.
- Drain the Beef Well: Make sure to drain the ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole.
- Don’t Skip the Rest: The 5-10 minute rest time allows the casserole to set properly, making it easier to serve neat portions.
- Season to Taste: Taste your meat mixture before layering and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Watch the Chips: If you notice the chips on top browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
How to Serve
This Mexican casserole is a complete meal on its own, but pairs beautifully with:
- A simple green salad with cilantro-lime dressing
- Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice
- Corn on the cob
- Sliced avocado or guacamole
- Additional toppings like chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, or a squeeze of lime
- Mexican street corn (elote)
Serve in deep plates or bowls with extra tortilla chips on the side for scooping.
Make Ahead
Prep in Advance: Prepare the meat mixture up to 2 days ahead and store in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, simply layer with chips and cheese as directed.
Freezer Option: Assemble the casserole without the tortilla chips, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the tortilla chips just before baking, and extend baking time by 10-15 minutes.
Leftovers: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The chips will soften, but the flavor remains delicious.
FAQs
Can I use flour tortillas instead of tortilla chips?
Yes, you can cut flour tortillas into strips and lightly toast them before using. However, they won’t provide the same corn flavor and crunch as traditional tortilla chips. Corn tortillas cut into strips and lightly fried or baked would be a better substitute.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Replace the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or an extra can of beans (black beans work well). Use vegetable broth or cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken soup. Make sure your taco seasoning doesn’t contain chicken products.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Brown the meat and combine with other ingredients (except chips and half the cheese) in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, then transfer to a baking dish, add the chips and cheese layers, and bake at 325°F for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written. To make it gluten-free, verify that your taco seasoning is gluten-free and replace the cream of chicken soup with a gluten-free alternative or make your own with gluten-free flour. Ensure your tortilla chips are made in a gluten-free facility.
Conclusion
This Easy Mexican Casserole is more than just a quick dinner solution – it’s a crowd-pleasing dish that brings the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine to your table with minimal effort. The combination of seasoned beef, beans, and melty cheese layered with crunchy tortilla chips creates a satisfying texture contrast that makes this dish truly special.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a busy weeknight or looking for a dish to bring to a potluck, this versatile casserole fits the bill perfectly. The best part? You can customize it to suit your family’s preferences, making it spicier, milder, or packed with additional vegetables.
Give this Mexican casserole a try tonight – it’s bound to become a regular request in your household!
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Easy Mexican Casserole Recipe: A Flavorful Family Favorite
This Easy Mexican Casserole combines savory ground beef, zesty beans, and melted cheese layered with crispy tortilla chips for a satisfying Tex-Mex dinner that’s ready in under an hour. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks!
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 can Ranch Style beans
- 1 (10-12 ounce) bag tortilla chips, crushed
- 1 can Ro-tel tomatoes
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup water
- Sour cream for serving
- Salsa for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare – Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Begin by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once fully browned, drain off any excess fat.
- Create the Filling – To the skillet with the browned beef, add the Ranch Style beans, Ro-tel tomatoes, chopped onion, taco seasoning, cream of chicken soup, and water. Stir all ingredients together thoroughly. Reduce heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer for 5-7 minutes, until everything is well combined and heated through.
- Assemble the Casserole – Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Create the first layer by spreading half of the crushed tortilla chips evenly across the bottom of the dish. Next, add half of the meat and bean mixture on top of the chips. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup) over the meat layer. Repeat these layers once more – remaining chips, then remaining meat mixture, and finally the remaining cheese.
- Bake the Casserole – Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the cheese is completely melted.
- Rest and Serve – Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to serve. Top individual portions with sour cream and salsa before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier version, use hot Ro-tel tomatoes or add diced jalapeños to the meat mixture.
- This casserole freezes well. Prepare up to the baking step, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Ranch Style beans can be substituted with pinto beans if unavailable in your area.
- Try adding corn, black olives, or diced bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Leftover casserole can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave.
