Description
A hearty and flavorful Mexican Tortilla Casserole featuring layers of seasoned ground beef or turkey, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and cheese baked together with corn tortillas for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn kernels, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 small corn tortillas, cut into quarters
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes, releasing fragrant flavors.
- Cook Meat: Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks to ensure even cooking and texture.
- Season Meat: Stir in ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, mixing well to evenly season the meat mixture with Mexican-inspired spices.
- Add Vegetables & Simmer: Add the drained black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and diced green chiles to the skillet. Stir to combine everything and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Layer Tortillas: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange half of the quartered corn tortillas evenly on the bottom to form the first layer.
- Add Meat Mixture & Cheese: Spread half of the meat and bean mixture over the tortillas, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top to add creamy, melty flavor.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining tortilla pieces, meat mixture, and cheese to build up the casserole.
- Cover & Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to keep moisture in and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Uncover & Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, indicating the casserole is fully cooked and ready to serve.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For a spicier dish, add some chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use corn tortillas to keep the casserole gluten free.
- Fresh cilantro added at the end enhances the flavor and presentation.
- The casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated; reheat covered with foil to retain moisture.
