I really like making this Mexican casserole once I want a hearty taco night-inspired meal that my total household will truly eat. It’s stuffed with traditional Tex-Mex flavors layered neatly in a single straightforward baking dish, which saves a lot time on busy weeknights. The flavors solely get higher the subsequent day, so the leftovers are simply as scrumptious as the primary serving.
My first makes an attempt at this casserole have been a bit messy as a result of the underside layer of tortillas would dry out and keep on with the pan. Spreading half of the jarred salsa immediately on the underside earlier than layering the tortillas fully solved the issue, conserving all the pieces completely moist. I additionally found that letting the casserole relaxation for 10 to fifteen minutes after baking is tremendous vital. This step permits the layers to set, so it cuts neatly with out falling aside, and every slice stays completely stacked.
For those who love straightforward baked dinners like this, be sure you try my favourite Dorito Taco Casserole or these easy Rooster Enchiladas!
The best way to Make Mexican Casserole
Step 1: Brown the meat and onions.
In a big skillet or saucepan over medium-high warmth, cook dinner the bottom beef and chopped onion till the meat is totally cooked and not pink. Drain any extra grease so the casserole doesn’t get oily.
Step 2: Simmer the filling.
Stir within the water and taco seasoning packets, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes. Then add the drained tomatoes and inexperienced chilies, rinsed black beans, and half of your salsa. Warmth simply till it begins to simmer, then take away the pan from the warmth.
Step 3: Construct the muse.
Unfold the remaining salsa immediately on the underside of a 9×13 casserole dish. Prepare 6 corn tortillas over the salsa in a fair layer.
Step 4: Layer it up.
Unfold one-third of the meat combination over the tortillas, then sprinkle with 2 cups of shredded cheese. Repeat this layer (tortillas, meat, cheese) two extra instances till all layers are constructed.
Step 5: Bake and relaxation.
Cowl loosely with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Uncover for the final 5 minutes to get the cheese bubbly and flippantly browned. Let the casserole relaxation for 10 to fifteen minutes earlier than reducing so the tortillas take in the sauce and the layers set completely.
Step 6: Slice and serve.
Serve sizzling with a salad and cauliflower rice on the aspect.
Storage Suggestions
- Refrigerate: In case you have leftovers, cowl the baking dish tightly or switch cooled slices to an hermetic container. They’ll preserve within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
- Reheat: I often pop particular person slices within the microwave for 1 to 1½ minutes. They warmth up fantastically, and the cheese will get good and gooey once more!
- Freeze: You’ll be able to completely freeze this casserole unbaked. Wrap it tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, then a layer of industrial quality aluminum foil. It retains within the freezer for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than baking, and add about 5 additional minutes to the bake time to account for any additional moisture.
Extra Dinner Recipes You Could Take pleasure in
For those who’ve tried this or some other recipe on my web site, please go away a star ranking and let me know the way it turned out within the feedback beneath.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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In a 5 to six quart saucepan over medium excessive warmth, brown the bottom beef and chopped onion, stirring typically till the meat is cooked via and not pink. (This could take about 5 to six minutes) Drain any extra oil.
2 kilos lean floor beef, 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
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Add 1 cup water and the two taco seasoning packets, stirring typically. (About 3 to 4 minutes)
1 cup water, 2 ounce (1 ounce every) packet taco seasoning
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Subsequent stir within the drained diced tomatoes and inexperienced chilies, black beans and ½ of the jarred salsa. Warmth simply till the bottom beef combination begins to simmer. Take away from the warmth.
20 ounce (10 ounce) diced tomatoes and inexperienced chilies, 15 ounce black beans, 16 ounce jarred gentle salsa
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Unfold the opposite half of the jarred salsa within the backside of a 9×13 baking dish.
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Layer 6 corn tortilla shells over the salsa.
18 yellow corn tortillas
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Unfold ⅓ of the meat combination over the tortilla shell layer.
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Sprinkle 2 cups of freshly shredded colby jack cheese.
6 cups freshly shredded colby jack cheddar cheese
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Repeat the corn tortilla layer, meat and cheese.
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Lastly layer the third layer of corn tortillas, meat and cheese. Cowl loosely with aluminum foil. Bake coated for 35 minutes, then optionally uncover the final 5 minutes to brown the cheese.
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Permit the Mexican casserole to relaxation for 10 to fifteen minutes earlier than reducing 12 equal items. (This step is essential, it permits the tortillas to take in the sauce) Garnish with 1 cup of diced tomatoes and ½ cup of sliced inexperienced onions. Dollop bitter cream if desired. Serve whereas sizzling.
1 cup diced roma tomatoes, ½ cup thinly sliced inexperienced onions, Bitter cream
- Retailer: Place cooled leftovers in an hermetic container and refrigerate for as much as 3 days.
- Reheat: Heat particular person parts within the microwave for about 1 minute or till heated via and the cheese melts once more.
- Freeze: Wrap the unbaked casserole tightly and freeze for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than baking and add just a few additional minutes to the bake time.
Energy: 504kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 36g | Fats: 24g | Saturated Fats: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 6g | Trans Fats: 0.3g | Ldl cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 1074mg | Potassium: 767mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1455IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 481mg | Iron: 4mg
