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.
- Author: Kaeli
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using corn tortillas)
Main Ingredients
- 8–10 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Mexican casserole, tortilla casserole, Tex-Mex, ground beef casserole, easy dinner, layered casserole, gluten-free option, vegetarian casserole