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Mexican Tortilla Casserole

Mexican Tortilla Casserole

This Mexican Tortilla Casserole is a quick, flavorful Tex-Mex dish featuring layered flour tortillas, seasoned ground meat or beans, zesty salsa, and melted cheese. Perfect for a comforting dinner, it offers a delicious balance of textures and vibrant flavors with a versatile recipe easily adapted for vegetarian, gluten-free, or healthier preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 810 flour tortillas (or corn tortillas for gluten-free option)
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey (or substitute with beans for vegetarian)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup Mexican salsa or enchilada sauce
  • 1 cup black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons diced green chilies

Optional Toppings

  • Sour cream
  • Avocado slices
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Filling: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook ground meat with chopped onions and garlic until browned and fragrant. Drain excess fat. Stir in salsa, beans, and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cumin for authentic Mexican flavor.
  2. Layer the Casserole: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish. Place a layer of tortillas covering the bottom, spoon some meat mixture over, sprinkle with cheese, and repeat layers 3 to 4 times, ending with a layer of cheese on top.
  3. Bake to Perfection: Bake casserole uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Edges of tortillas will crisp slightly, adding nice texture contrast.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Let casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to set. Top with fresh cilantro, sour cream dollops, avocado slices, or a squeeze of lime to brighten flavor.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for even cooking and faster baking.
  • Do not overload filling to avoid soggy casserole.
  • Lightly toast tortillas before layering to prevent excess moisture absorption.
  • Let casserole rest after baking to help it set and slice neatly.
  • Opt for fresh or homemade salsa to elevate flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican casserole, tortilla casserole, Tex-Mex, ground beef casserole, easy dinner, layered casserole, gluten-free option, vegetarian casserole