Description
This Mexican Pinto Bean Casserole is a flavorful and hearty dish combining pinto beans, corn, Mexican-style tomatoes, and a blend of spices, topped with melted Cheddar cheese over a crunchy chip base. Perfect as a comforting casserole that serves 8, it’s an easy-to-make meal with bold Mexican-inspired flavors and optional fresh toppings like lettuce and jalapenos.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained (30 oz. each)
- 1 can whole kernel corn, drained (15 oz.)
- 1 can diced Mexican-style tomatoes, drained (14.5 oz.)
- 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz.)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese (8 oz.)
Additional
- Crushed chips (quantity not specified, enough to cover greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish)
- Optional toppings: lettuce, sour cream, jalapenos, black olives, tomatoes or salsa
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Base and Filling: Crush chips and sprinkle them evenly into a greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish to form a crunchy base. In a large bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients except the cheese, mixing them thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices and flavors.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the mixed bean and vegetable filling evenly over the chip base in the baking dish. Then, sprinkle the Cheddar cheese evenly on top of the mixture.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh toppings such as lettuce, sour cream, jalapenos, black olives, and tomatoes or salsa to add freshness and extra flavor.
Notes
- Make sure to drain and rinse the beans well to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
- The chip base adds a crunchy texture but can be substituted with tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips if preferred.
- Adjust the level of cayenne pepper and chili powder according to your desired spice heat.
- For a vegetarian dish, ensure the chips and cheese are vegetarian-friendly.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking to save time.
