Easy Mexican Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

If you’re looking for an easy and delicious weeknight meal for the whole family, look no further than this easy Mexican ground beef casserole. Loaded with cheese, green chiles, refried beans, and more, it’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Plus, it takes less than an hour to make from start to finish, so you can have a home-cooked meal on the table in no time.

 

Even if you’re not a fan of Mexican food, you’ll love this easy Mexican ground beef casserole with cheese.

It’s packed with flavor and so simple to make. And, it works any night of the week because it’s a fast meal to prepare.

Prepare In Advance

It’s always good to make a dish that is easy, and you can prepare it in advance. This Mexican ground beef casserole with cheese is just that.

You can make the dish before work, the day before you plan to cook it, or right before it’s ready to go in the oven. Just don’t add the tortillas until it’s time to cook.

When you’re ready to make the dish, layer with the tortillas and cook it.

Ultimate Mexican Casserole Ingredients

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

• Ground beef
• Diced onions
• Whole kernel corn
• Taco seasoning
• Water
• Salsa
• Diced green chiles
• Refried beans
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Small tortillas

Topping (all optional)

• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Sour cream
• Diced jalapeños
• Diced green onions

Step-By-Step Instructions

Start by adding the ground beef to a large saucepan or large skillet and cook on medium heat.

Drain the grease when the meat is done cooking and add the meat back to the pan.

If you want to make this a little healthier, you can use ground turkey or extra lean ground beef for the recipe instead.

Next, add the taco seasoning and water and mix to combine.

I bought a small 1.25-ounce packet of taco seasoning mix. You can also use the one-ounce pack if that is what you have.

Add the whole kernel corn and salsa to the pot.

I used canned corn for this recipe because it’s easy. Be sure to drain the water off of the can before adding the corn.

You can use corn off the cob, but make sure you get about 15 ounces of corn for the recipe.

I also bought medium salsa because a couple of us (namely me) are super wimpy when it comes to spicy food.

So, if you like things spicy, you can get the spicier version.

Next, add the green chiles and diced onions to the saucepan.

I diced the onions at home and bought the can of green chiles.

Finally, add the refried beans to the pot and mix all of the ingredients.

I used a can of refried beans for this recipe, as well.

Place the lid on the pan and cook for about ten minutes on medium to medium-high heat. Stir occasionally.

The purpose of cooking for about 10 minutes is to cook off a little bit of the water.

Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch casserole dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray and line the bottom with small flour tortillas.

I used small tortillas because they are a little easier to fit into the baking dish. You can use large ones if that’s what you have.

I used a total of 15 tortillas.

Spread one-third of the cooked ground beef mixture over the tortillas.

Sprinkle one-third of the shredded cheese on top of the meat.

I used sharp cheddar for the recipe, but if you like mild cheddar or Mexican cheese blend, you can use that as well.

Add the final layer of meat and cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

You should have a total of three layers of tortillas and three layers of meat and cheese.

You can bake until the cheese is melted, which is about 30 minutes, or bake it a little longer if you like the cheese a little crusty on top.

Top the casserole with shredded lettuce.

If you don’t plan to eat the entire dish in one sitting, only add lettuce to the pieces you plan to eat, otherwise, you end up with wilted lettuce (speaking from experience).

Slice a piece and top with fresh tomato, diced jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream.

You can also add some green onions, more salsa, or anything else that you love on top.

This is comfort food at its finest.

Other Optional Toppings

• Green bell pepper
• Black olives
• Black beans
• Spanish rice on the side

Add Some Variety to Your Casserole

1. Tortilla Chip Topping: Crush tortilla chips and sprinkle them on top for a crunchy addition. This adds a nice texture contrast to the melty cheese and warm ground beef.
2. Corn Tortillas Layer: Layer corn tortillas within the casserole for a more authentic Mexican feel. It’s similar to a taco casserole but baked in one dish.
3. Rice Casserole Twist: Incorporate uncooked rice or Mexican rice into your casserole for a hearty, filling meal. This variation is perfect for busy weeknights and will fill up those hungry teenagers.
4. Chili Powder Boost: Amp up the spice level by adding more chili powder. This brings out the Mexican flavors and adds more warmth to the dish.
5. Enchilada Sauce Infusion: Pour enchilada sauce over the layers before baking. This simple ingredient can transform your casserole into a saucy delight.