Best Easy Mexican Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

Mexican ground beef casserole bakes seasoned beef with tortillas, beans, and cheese for a spicy, protein-rich family dinner. This Tex-Mex crowd-pleaser is quick, budget-friendly, and endlessly customizable.

Cook 50 min Difficulty EASY 430 kcal
#high protein #family dinner #tex-mex #budget
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • ground beef (90% lean) 1 lb
  • black beans, drained 1 cup
  • corn kernels 0.75 cup
  • flour tortillas (8-inch) 6 pieces
  • shredded cheddar cheese 2 cups
  • diced onion 0.5 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
  • salsa 1 cup
  • olive oil 1 tbsp
  • chili powder 2 tsp
  • ground cumin 1 tsp
  • garlic powder 0.5 tsp
  • salt 0.75 tsp
  • black pepper 0.25 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 32 g 30%
Protein 27 g 25%
Fat 21 g 45%
Serving size 320g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish for even cooking and easy cleanup.

  2. 2

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté diced onion until translucent, about 2–3 minutes.

  3. 3

    Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned; drain excess fat to avoid greasiness.

  4. 4

    Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, black beans, and corn. Cook for 2 more minutes, then add salsa and simmer on medium-low for 5 minutes to develop flavor.

  5. 5

    To assemble: Layer 3 tortillas at the bottom of the dish, top with half of the beef mixture and 1 cup shredded cheese. Repeat layers with remaining tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese.

  6. 6

    Cover casserole with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 7–10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing to set layers.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this Mexican ground beef casserole recipe?
The core ingredient is ground beef, which provides the hearty protein base and signature flavor that defines this Tex-Mex casserole. Combined with black beans, corn, and cheese, the ground beef mixture delivers both satisfying texture and depth.
Q. What's a crucial cooking tip for this casserole?
Drain any excess fat from the cooked ground beef before assembling the casserole. This step keeps the final texture balanced and prevents a greasy result, allowing the tortillas and other layers to bake up moist but not soggy.
Q. How do you keep the layers from turning mushy?
Letting the casserole rest for at least 5 minutes after baking is vital. This cooling period helps the layers set and absorb extra moisture, resulting in clean slices and an enjoyable texture—never too wet or mushy.
Q. How many calories and macronutrients are in each serving?
Each serving contains about 430 kcal, with 32g carbohydrates (30% of calories), 27g protein (25%), and 21g fat (45%). This makes it a protein-rich meal suitable for active families.
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