Description
This Mexican Tortilla Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines seasoned ground beef or turkey with black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and green chiles layered with corn tortillas and melted cheddar cheese. Baked to bubbly perfection, it’s a comforting meal that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Canned Goods
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn kernels, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
Other
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 small corn tortillas, cut into quarters
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the Meat: Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Cook thoroughly until browned, breaking it apart to ensure even cooking.
- Season the Meat: Stir in ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly season the meat mixture.
- Add Beans and Vegetables: Incorporate the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and diced green chiles into the skillet. Stir to combine all ingredients and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the quartered corn tortillas evenly on the bottom of the dish.
- Layer Ingredients: Spread half of the meat and bean mixture over the tortilla layer. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the meat mixture.
- Repeat Layers: Add the remaining tortilla pieces on top, followed by the rest of the meat mixture and cheddar cheese.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- Use ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Adjust spices according to your heat preference; add cayenne pepper for extra kick.
- Fresh cilantro on top before serving adds a burst of freshness.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking for easier serving.
- Can be made ahead and refrigerated; bake longer if cooking from cold.
