Mexican Casserole Recipe

If you’re craving bold, comforting flavors and a dinner that’s as easy as it is delicious—this Mexican Casserole is calling your name. It’s cheesy, hearty, full of vibrant spices, and layered with everything you love about Tex-Mex cuisine. Think seasoned meat, beans, tortillas, and melty cheese all baked into one bubbly, crave-worthy dish.

This is the kind of recipe that brings everyone to the table fast. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, feeding a crowd, or prepping ahead for no-fuss meals. The best part? It’s endlessly customizable, so you can make it just the way your family likes it. Trust me—this one’s going in your regular dinner rotation!

Why You’ll Love Mexican Casserole

All-in-One Meal
This casserole is packed with protein, veggies, carbs, and tons of flavor—basically a full meal in one dish. It saves time and satisfies every craving in a single scoop.

Bold, Flavorful Layers
Each bite brings a little something different—spiced meat, creamy beans, sweet corn, soft tortillas, and gooey cheese. The flavors build beautifully as they bake together into something magical.

Super Easy to Make
Minimal prep, easy layering, and a quick bake time? Yes, please. It’s perfect for nights when you need something hearty but don’t want to spend forever in the kitchen.

Great for Leftovers
This casserole reheats like a dream, and the flavors are even better the next day. Make a big batch and enjoy it all week!

Family-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing
Kids love it, adults devour it, and everyone asks for seconds. What more could you want?

Ingredients in Mexican Casserole

Ground Beef or Turkey
This is the flavorful base of your casserole. Ground meat is seasoned and sautéed until browned and savory. Use turkey if you want a lighter version.

Taco Seasoning
A bold blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic, paprika, and more gives the dish its signature Tex-Mex flavor. You can use store-bought or homemade!

Onion & Garlic
These aromatics add depth and flavor to the meat mixture. Don’t skip them—they’re the flavor starters!

Black Beans or Pinto Beans
They add heartiness and texture while keeping things satisfying and full of fiber.

Corn Kernels
Corn brings a bit of sweetness and pops of color throughout the casserole. Canned, frozen, or fresh all work beautifully.

Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles
These add juiciness, a little spice, and that classic “southwest” vibe. They really amp up the flavor.

Flour or Corn Tortillas
Torn or cut into pieces, tortillas form the starchy, comforting layers that hold everything together.

Shredded Cheese
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend—melted cheese is what takes this dish over the top. The gooey, golden top is unbeatable.

Sour Cream (optional)
For a creamy element, a few dollops of sour cream layered in give the casserole a rich, tangy bite.

Fresh Cilantro or Green Onions
Optional garnishes that add a fresh pop of flavor and color right before serving.

Note: The full ingredient list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Instructions

Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.

Cook the Meat

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook your ground beef or turkey with chopped onion and garlic. Stir frequently, breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease.

Season and Add Ingredients

Stir in taco seasoning, diced tomatoes with green chiles, black beans, and corn. Let the mixture simmer for 5–7 minutes so all those flavors can meld together beautifully.

Layer the Casserole

In the prepared baking dish, start layering:

• A layer of torn tortillas
• A layer of the meat and bean mixture
• A sprinkle of cheese
  Repeat the layers, finishing with a generous layer of cheese on top.

Bake It

Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is hot throughout.

Let It Rest

Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This helps it set a little and makes it easier to slice.

Serve and Enjoy

Top with fresh cilantro, green onions, sour cream, or a splash of hot sauce—and dig in!

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 6–8
Calories per serving: ~400–500 (depending on ingredients used)

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

How to Serve Mexican Casserole

With a Fresh Salad
Serve it alongside a crisp green salad with a lime vinaigrette for a bright contrast to the richness of the casserole.

With Tortilla Chips
Use crunchy chips to scoop up the cheesy goodness—it’s like a deconstructed nacho plate!

With Rice or Cauliflower Rice
Serve a scoop of casserole over rice for a heartier meal or use cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

With Avocado or Guacamole
Creamy avocado or a big dollop of guac on top adds freshness and richness.

As Leftovers
Wrap leftovers in a tortilla the next day for a quick burrito-style lunch!

Additional Tips

Customize It
Add jalapeños for spice, swap black beans for kidney beans, or throw in sautéed bell peppers or zucchini to bulk it up with veggies.

Make It Vegetarian
Skip the meat and add extra beans, corn, and even some cooked quinoa for a filling, meatless option.

Freeze for Later
You can freeze the whole unbaked casserole—just wrap it well and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen (add extra time), or thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

Use What You Have
Got leftover rotisserie chicken? Use that instead of ground meat! Have refried beans on hand? Layer them in for extra creaminess.

Double the Batch
This is a great recipe to double and bake in two pans—one for now, one to freeze for later!

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I make this ahead of time?
A1: Yes! You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.

Q2: Can I freeze Mexican Casserole?
A2: Absolutely. Wrap it tightly before baking and freeze. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.

Q3: Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
A3: Yes! Corn tortillas work just as well and add a slightly different flavor and texture.

Q4: How do I reheat leftovers?
A4: Reheat individual servings in the microwave or reheat the whole casserole in the oven at 350°F until hot and bubbly.

Q5: Can I make this casserole spicy?
A5: You bet! Add diced jalapeños, use spicy taco seasoning, or stir in some hot sauce or chili flakes.

Q6: What type of cheese works best?
A6: A Mexican blend is ideal, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack are also great options.

Q7: How can I make this casserole healthier?
A7: Use ground turkey or chicken, low-fat cheese, and add extra veggies like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers.

Q8: Can I use leftover cooked meat?
A8: Totally! Shredded rotisserie chicken, ground beef, or even steak will work great—just stir it into the sauce mixture.

Q9: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A9: Use corn tortillas and check that your taco seasoning and canned goods are gluten-free to make this recipe gluten-friendly.

Q10: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A10: Yes! You can layer everything in a slow cooker and cook on low for 3–4 hours, or until hot and bubbly.

Conclusion

Mexican Casserole is the kind of dish that checks every box—easy, filling, flavorful, and endlessly flexible. Whether you’re serving it to your family on a weeknight or feeding a crowd on game day, it’s always a hit. With bold layers, cheesy goodness, and a little spice, this comforting classic is one you’ll turn to again and again. Enjoy!

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