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.

Give the casserole a try tonight, I promise it will become one of your favorite dinners.

Perfect Any Night Of The Week

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

How To Make The Easy Mexican Casserole Recipe

1. Brown ground beef. Drain the grease and add the beef back to the saucepan.
2. Next, add the taco seasoning and water and mix well.
3. Add the onions, corn, salsa, green chiles, and refried beans and mix well.
4. Cover and cook on medium to medium-high for several minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish and cover the bottom of the baking dish with small flour tortillas.
6. Spread one-third of the beef mixture over the tortillas.
7. Sprinkle one cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
8. Add another layer of tortillas, meat mixture, and shredded cheese.
9. Top with one more layer of tortillas, meat mixture, and cheese.
10. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
11. Top with your favorite toppings.

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.

I buy ground chuck at The Fresh Market. They have a sale here at my store every Tuesday and it’s one pound for $2.99. And, it’s our favorite meat.

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 layer. 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

More Delicious Ground Beef Recipes

• Easy meatloaf with oatmeal
• Thick and hearty chili
• Homemade Hamburger Helper beef stroganoff
• One Pot Hamburger Helper beef pasta
• Homemade meatloaf with Jiffy

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.
6. Greek Yogurt Swirl: Add a dollop of Greek yogurt on top of individual servings for a creamy, tangy twist. This can be a healthier alternative to sour cream.
7. Pico de Gallo Freshness: Serve with fresh pico de gallo on the side of the dish. The freshness of the tomatoes and cilantro complements the hearty casserole.
8. Pinto Beans Addition: Mix in pinto beans for a different flavor.
9. Rotel Tomatoes Mix-In: Stir in Rotel tomatoes for a spicy and tangy kick. This is a simple way to elevate the casserole’s flavor profile.
10. Monterey Jack Blend: Use Monterey Jack cheese for its excellent melting qualities and mild flavor, perfect for a melty cheese topping.
11. Garlic Powder Sprinkle: Add garlic powder to the ground beef for an aromatic depth of flavor.
12. Fresh Cilantro Garnish: Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the finished casserole for a burst of freshness and color, enhancing the Mexican vibe.
13. Individual Servings Prep: Prepare the casserole in individual servings using small baking dishes. This is great for portion control and makes serving easier.
14. Ground Chicken Variation: Substitute ground chicken or ground turkey for a lighter version of this tasty Mexican ground beef casserole.
15. Homemade Salsa Side: Serve with homemade salsa for a personalized touch and extra flavor.

Mexican ground beef casserole with cheese is a family favorite. It’s easy to make and great for an easy weeknight meal because it can be made in one pot.

This recipe will feed six to eight people, but feel free to double the ingredients if you want more servings.

Or, cut the recipe in half if you don’t need as much.

So, the next time you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal, this Mexican ground beef casserole is just the thing. Be sure to print it out in the recipe card below.