Savory Southwest Hamburger Casserole

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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Craving something hearty and flavorful? This Savory Southwest Hamburger Casserole is a delightful blend of spices, textures, and cheesy goodness. It's perfect for weeknight dinners or a casual gathering with friends.

Ingredients for Savory Southwest Hamburger Casserole

The star of this dish is the ground beef, providing a hearty base that absorbs all the wonderful spices. Onion and red bell pepper add sweetness and a bit of crunch, balancing the savory meat. Frozen corn brings a pop of color and natural sweetness. Black beans add protein and a creamy texture.

Cheddar cheese is essential for that gooey, melty top layer. The diced tomatoes with green chilies and salsa provide a zesty kick. Taco seasoning, cumin, and chili powder infuse the casserole with bold, Southwest flavors. Crushed tortilla chips add a satisfying crunch, while sour cream offers a cool, creamy finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you're short on time, use pre-chopped onions and peppers from the grocery store.
  • To make it spicier, add some chopped jalapeños with the vegetables.
  • Let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving to make slicing easier.

Serving Suggestions

This casserole is fantastic on its own, but you can serve it with a simple side salad for some freshness. A scoop of guacamole or some freshly sliced avocado would also complement it nicely. If you’re in the mood for a little extra heat, a drizzle of hot sauce over the top does wonders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner option and works perfectly in this recipe.
Can this be frozen?
Yes, let it cool completely, then cover tightly and freeze. It reheats well in the oven.
What can I use instead of cheddar cheese?
Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend are great substitutes.

Savory Southwest Hamburger Casserole Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While that's warming up, heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Sauté them until they’re nice and soft, about 5 minutes or so.

Next, add your ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks, letting it brown evenly. Once it’s no longer pink, stir in the taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder, along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Let those spices mingle for a couple of minutes.

Now, mix in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and salsa. Give it all a good stir and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. This will help the flavors meld together beautifully.

Grab a 9x13 inch casserole dish and start layering. Spread half of the beef mixture on the bottom, then sprinkle half of the crushed tortilla chips on top, followed by half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat with the remaining beef mixture, chips, and cheese.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into your preheated oven. Let it bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let it cool slightly before serving. A dollop of sour cream on top is the perfect finishing touch.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare with minimal cleanup.
  • Layers of flavor and texture make every bite satisfying.
  • Great for leftovers — it tastes even better the next day!
  • Kid-friendly and customizable for different tastes.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup frozen corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 cup salsa
1 packet taco seasoning
2 cups crushed tortilla chips
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and red bell pepper, sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
4. Stir in taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes until the spices are well incorporated.
5. Add in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and salsa. Mix well and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
6. In a 9x13 inch casserole dish, layer half of the beef mixture, followed by half of the crushed tortilla chips, and half of the shredded cheese.
7. Repeat the layers with the remaining beef mixture, chips, and cheese.
8. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
9. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
10. Let it cool slightly before serving with a dollop of sour cream on top.

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