Description
Mexican-inspired Beef Enchilada Casserole blends hearty ground beef, zesty spices, and melted cheese into a comforting one-pan meal. Layers of tortillas, rich sauce, and savory ingredients create a satisfying dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Starch:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups cooked white or Mexican rice
- 12 small corn tortillas, cut into quarters
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 ounces / 284 grams) red enchilada sauce
- 1 can (10 ounces / 284 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
Cheese and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until thoroughly browned, ensuring no pink remains. Eliminate excess grease by draining.
- Incorporate taco seasoning, green chili-infused tomatoes, and black beans into the beef. Allow the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 5 minutes.
- Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray, then create the first foundation layer using half of the corn tortillas across the bottom.
- Distribute an even layer of cooked rice directly over the tortilla base, covering the entire surface.
- Spread half of the seasoned beef mixture uniformly across the rice layer.
- Drizzle enchilada sauce generously over the beef, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle a generous blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese across the sauce.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining tortillas, rice, beef mixture, enchilada sauce, and cheese to create a second complete layer.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese transforms into a melted, golden landscape.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, enabling flavors to settle and making serving easier.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced black olives for added visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a soggy casserole base, ensuring crisp texture and preventing excess grease.
- Customize spice levels by selecting mild or hot taco seasoning, letting home cooks control the heat intensity according to their preference.
- Make this dish gluten-free by substituting corn tortillas with gluten-free alternatives and checking taco seasoning ingredients for hidden gluten.
- Prep ingredients beforehand for faster assembly, chopping cilantro and measuring spices in advance to streamline the cooking process.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 507 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 790 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg