If you’re craving comfort food that delivers bold flavor and plenty of melty cheese, this Mexican Casserole Recipe is your ticket to dinnertime joy. It’s everything I want in a cozy meal: tender tortillas soaked in zesty sauce, seasoned ground meat, beans, veggies, and a golden crown of bubbling cheese. Best of all, it comes together in under an hour—ideal for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or feeding a hungry crowd. Whether you’re new to casseroles or they’re a family tradition, get ready for a dish that’s endlessly adaptable and guaranteed to please!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Mexican Casserole Recipe is in its simplicity—each ingredient builds another layer of flavor, color, or texture, and most are pantry staples. Trust me, you’ll want every component for that irresistible combination of cheesy, spicy goodness!

Ground Beef or Turkey: The hearty base—pick your protein for a rich or lighter twist on the classic filling.
Taco Seasoning Mix: A must for bringing immediate, authentic taco flavor; homemade or store-bought both work beautifully.
Water: Helps create a saucy filling that keeps things juicy.
Black Beans: Tender, creamy, and packed with fiber—these add substance and texture.
Frozen Corn: Sweet pops of flavor and just the right amount of crunch; no need to thaw before adding!
Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Adds tang and just a little heat—undrained for full flavor infusion.
Salsa: Choose your favorite—mild or hot—it’s the secret to a saucy, punchy casserole.
Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese: Gooey, melty, cheesy bliss in every bite; divide for perfect layering.
Flour or Corn Tortillas: The backbone of the casserole; quartered so every slice has a tender tortilla layer.
Cumin: Toasty, earthy depth for true Mexican flavor.
Chili Powder: A hint of gentle heat that brings all the ingredients together.
Salt and Black Pepper: Don’t skip these—season to taste for a well-balanced dish.
Optional Toppings: Sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, and cilantro take your casserole over the top and add fresh color.

How to Make Mexican Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Sauté and Season the Meat

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Meanwhile, set a large skillet on medium heat and cook your choice of ground beef or turkey. Be sure to break up the meat as it cooks so you get even browning. Once no pink remains, drain off any excess fat—this keeps your Mexican Casserole Recipe from becoming greasy while letting all the great flavors shine.

Step 2: Add Spices and Simmer

Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, cumin, and chili powder, then pour in the water and stir to combine. Let it all simmer together for about 3 to 4 minutes. This step is where those classic Mexican spices infuse every morsel. The meat will soak up the seasonings, becoming tender, flavorful, and delightfully aromatic.

Step 3: Stir in Beans, Corn, Tomatoes, and Salsa

Next, mix in the drained black beans, corn, undrained tomatoes with green chilies, and salsa. Allow everything to simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes. You’ll see the mixture become rich and colorful—the perfect hearty filling for your casserole.

Step 4: Layer Your Casserole

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and scatter one-third of your quartered tortillas evenly over the bottom. Top with one-third of the meaty mixture and a generous handful of cheese. Repeat these layers twice more, finishing with a glorious final blanket of cheese on top. This technique guarantees every forkful of Mexican Casserole Recipe has a little bit of everything!

Step 5: Bake to Golden, Bubbling Perfection

Cover the casserole tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes. This helps everything meld and ensures gooey, even heating. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes—the cheese on top should be melted and bubbly, with crispy edges that make this dish irresistible. Let it rest for at least 5 minutes; this makes it easier to slice and ensures every piece holds its shape.

How to Serve Mexican Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

A big dollop of sour cream, sliced green onions, fresh jalapeños, and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro bring a burst of freshness to your Mexican Casserole Recipe. These toppings cut through the richness and add color and zing—don’t be shy with your garnishes, they really make the presentation pop!

Side Dishes

Pair your Mexican Casserole Recipe with a crisp green salad, fluffy cilantro-lime rice, or refried beans for a full-on fiesta. If you’re feeling festive, set out bowls of guacamole and tortilla chips for a spread that’s sure to impress.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice the casserole into squares for a classic family-style meal, or cut into wedges and serve on a bed of lettuce for a fun party platter. It’s equally at home dished up in small ramekins for individual portions, or scooped into tortillas for a “casserole taco” twist. This dish is an entertainer’s dream because it’s both rustic and dressy with just a few tweaks!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, cover any leftovers tightly with foil or transfer to airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen as they rest, making leftover Mexican Casserole Recipe even more delicious the next day.

Freezing

To freeze, assemble the casserole up to the baking step. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil, label, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, bake straight from frozen (add about 15 extra minutes to the bake time), or thaw overnight in the fridge for a slightly quicker finish.

Reheating

For the best results, reheat your Mexican Casserole Recipe in the oven at 350°F until heated through and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Individual portions can also be microwaved in short bursts, but for that freshly baked texture, the oven is your friend.

FAQs

Can I use chicken instead of ground beef or turkey?

Absolutely! If you have cooked shredded chicken on hand, swap it straight in and proceed as usual. Rotisserie chicken is a great weeknight shortcut and soaks up all the zesty flavors just as well.

What tortillas are best for this casserole?

Both flour and corn tortillas work beautifully, but corn tortillas give an earthier flavor and firmer texture, while flour tortillas make for a softer, pillowy layer. Try a combo to see which your family loves best!

How spicy is the Mexican Casserole Recipe?

The heat level depends mostly on your salsa and the brand of taco seasoning. Use mild versions for a kid-friendly casserole, or bump things up with medium or hot if you love a little burn.

Is it possible to make this casserole vegetarian?

Yes! Skip the meat and double up on the beans (try adding pinto or kidney beans too) for a protein-packed vegetarian version that’s just as hearty and flavorful.

Can I prep Mexican Casserole Recipe ahead of time?

Definitely—a lifesaver for busy nights. Assemble the casserole (up to the baking step), then cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking. Pop it into the oven when you’re ready to eat, and watch it turn bubbly and golden!

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about gathering around the table for a bubbling, cheesy Mexican Casserole Recipe—it’s the kind of dish that brings people together and makes dinner feel like a celebration. Try it once and I promise, your family will beg for it again and again!

Mexican Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Mexican Casserole recipe is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines the flavors of tacos in a comforting layered bake. Made with ground beef or turkey, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and cheese, this easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Ground Beef Mixture:

1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
1 packet taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup water
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 cup salsa
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and black pepper to taste

Additional Ingredients:

2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
6 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into quarters
Optional toppings: sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, cilantro

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook Ground Beef: Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat and add taco seasoning, water, cumin, and chili powder. Simmer, then add black beans, corn, tomatoes, and salsa.
Layer Casserole: Place a third of tortilla pieces in the dish, top with a third of the meat mixture and cheese. Repeat layers twice, finishing with cheese.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes until bubbly.
Serve: Let rest before slicing and serve with optional toppings.

Notes

You can prepare this casserole ahead and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
For added crunch, swap tortillas for crushed tortilla chips or use cooked rice as a base.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired