Mexican Tortilla Casserole
In the realm of comforting and mouthwatering Mexican cuisine, the Mexican Tortilla Casserole stands out as a delightful creation. This dish, bursting with flavors and textures, is a true crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is bound to impress your taste buds and leave you craving for more. So, let’s embark on a culinary journey to create a Mexican Tortilla Casserole that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients:
Let’s start by listing the key ingredients you’ll need to prepare this scrumptious Mexican Tortilla Casserole. These ingredients are the building blocks of flavor that will make your dish truly special.
| INGREDIENT | QUANTITY |
|---|---|
| 1 lb. ground beef | 1 lb. |
| Diced onion | 1/2 cup |
| Taco seasoning mix | 1 pack |
| Shredded cheddar cheese | 2 cups |
| Refried beans | 1 can (warmed for easier spreading) |
| Prepared rice (e.g., Minute Rice) | 1 cup |
| Mexican blend corn (drained) | 1/2 can |
| Large flour tortillas | 4-5 |
| Thick chunky salsa (mild or hot) | 8 oz |
Instructions:
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating this Mexican Tortilla Casserole. Follow along to craft a delectable dish that will leave everyone at the table asking for seconds.
- Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Then, spray a springform, round cake pan, or casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cooking Ground Beef: In a skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onion. Once cooked, drain any excess fat.
- Seasoning the Beef: Add the taco seasoning mix to the browned beef and follow the package directions to ensure the meat is well-seasoned and flavorful.
- Assembling Layers: It’s time to layer the casserole. Start by placing one tortilla in the bottom of the prepared dish. Spread one-third of the refried beans on the tortilla, followed by one-third of the seasoned beef and a generous sprinkling of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Continue Layering: For the second layer, add another tortilla. Then, spread half of the prepared rice and half of the chunky salsa, along with half of the drained Mexican blend corn and more cheese.
- Building Up: Repeat this process for the third layer. Tortilla, beans, beef, and cheese.
- Final Layer: For the last layer, add one more tortilla. This time, layer it with beans, beef, corn, rice, salsa, and, of course, a generous helping of cheese.
- Baking: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake at 350°F for approximately 40 minutes. Then, uncover it and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the casserole is golden and bubbling.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to sit for about 5 minutes before cutting into it. After baking, top each serving with sour cream, diced onions, and shredded lettuce for that perfect finishing touch.
