Traditional Mexican Fiesta Casserole

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 6
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This Traditional Mexican Fiesta Casserole is a vibrant, layered dish that's perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. It's packed with flavors and has a satisfying, comforting texture that brings everyone to the table.

Ingredients for Traditional Mexican Fiesta Casserole

The star of this dish is the ground beef, which provides a hearty base and soaks up all the spices and flavors. Onion and garlic add depth and aromatic elements that are essential in any savory dish. Black beans introduce a creamy texture and are a great source of protein. Corn brings a touch of sweetness and color, while the diced tomatoes with green chilies offer a bit of tang and mild heat. Shredded cheddar cheese melts beautifully into the layers, providing that gooey, cheesy goodness we all crave. Sour cream adds a creamy layer that balances the spices. Taco seasoning ties everything together with its blend of spices, and corn tortillas serve as the perfect base and separator for all the layers. Finally, olive oil is used to sauté the veggies, and a pinch of salt and pepper enhances all the flavors.

Tips & Tricks

  • For a spicier kick, add a chopped jalapeño along with the onion and garlic.
  • Use freshly grated cheese for better melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded.
  • Layer tortillas so they overlap slightly to avoid gaps in the casserole.

Serving Suggestions

This casserole pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad topped with avocado and a squeeze of lime. A side of Mexican rice or refried beans will complete the meal. If you're feeling fancy, a dollop of guacamole or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro makes a great garnish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great leaner substitute and will blend well with the other flavors.
How can I make this vegetarian?
Simply skip the beef and add more beans or a meat substitute like crumbled tofu or tempeh.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it's coming straight from the fridge.

Traditional Mexican Fiesta Casserole Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it's ready when you are. In a large skillet, pour in the olive oil and heat over medium. Toss in the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion turns translucent. This should take about 3 to 5 minutes and your kitchen will start to smell amazing.

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook it until it's browned, breaking it up with a spatula as you go. Once browned, drain any excess fat to keep the dish from getting too greasy. Stir in the taco seasoning, followed by the black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Mix everything well and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to let the flavors blend.

While that's simmering, take a moment to lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Lay half of your corn tortillas on the bottom, overlapping slightly to cover the base. Spread half of the beef mixture over the tortillas, then add a layer of half the sour cream followed by half the shredded cheese. Repeat these layers with the remaining ingredients, finishing off with a generous layer of cheese on top.

Cover the dish with foil and pop it in the oven for 20 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and the cheese start to melt. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. This last bit of baking gives the cheese time to bubble up and turn that lovely golden color. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving to let the layers set.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Hearty and satisfying for a crowd.
  • Easy to make with common pantry staples.
  • Rich in flavors with a hint of spice and creaminess.
  • Perfect for meal prep and leftovers.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 packet taco seasoning
8 corn tortillas
2 tbsp olive oil
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.
3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until onion becomes translucent.
4. Add ground beef and cook until browned, then drain excess fat.
5. Stir in taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Mix well and let simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
7. Layer half of the corn tortillas at the bottom of the dish.
8. Spread half of the beef mixture over the tortillas.
9. Add a layer of half the sour cream, followed by a layer of half the shredded cheese.
10. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
11. Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
12. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
13. Let cool slightly before serving.

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