Mexican Tortilla Casserole

 

Mexican Tortilla Casserole: A Flavor-Packed Comfort Classic

Looking for a hearty, satisfying meal that’s loaded with flavor and easy to make? Look no further than this Mexican Tortilla Casserole—a crowd-pleasing dish that layers classic Tex-Mex ingredients into one warm, cheesy, irresistible bake.

This recipe combines the bold spices of Mexican cuisine with the comforting format of a casserole. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prepping for the week ahead. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable—vegetarian, spicy, gluten-free? You’ve got options.

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Why You’ll Love This Casserole

• 🌶️ Big on flavor – Bold spices, melty cheese, and savory layers.

• 🧀 Comfort food, upgraded – Like lasagna, but with tortillas and salsa!

• 🥑 Customizable – Add veggies, beans, meat, or go meatless.

• 🍽️ Feeds a crowd – Perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

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Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey (or plant-based crumbles)

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon cumin

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)

• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)

• 1 cup salsa (your preferred spice level)

• 6–8 small flour or corn tortillas

• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend)

• Optional toppings: sour cream, avocado, jalapeños, cilantro, lime wedges

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook the filling:
   In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add ground meat and cook until browned. Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.

3. Add the mix-ins:
   Stir in black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and salsa. Simmer for 5–7 minutes to let the flavors blend.

4. Layer the casserole:
   In a greased 9x13" baking dish, place a layer of tortillas (cut to fit, if needed). Spoon some of the filling mixture over the tortillas, then sprinkle with cheese. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.

5. Bake:
   Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

6. Serve:
   Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with your favorite toppings.

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Make It Your Way

• Vegetarian? Skip the meat and double the beans or add sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers.

• Want heat? Add jalapeños, hot salsa, or a dash of cayenne.

• Gluten-free? Use corn tortillas instead of flour.

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Final Thoughts

This Mexican Tortilla Casserole is the ultimate weeknight dinner: simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and perfect for leftovers. It brings together everything you love about Mexican food—spices, cheese, beans, and tortillas—in a cozy, cheesy bake that everyone at the table will love.

Make it once, and it’ll become a regular in your meal rotation. Don't forget to serve it with fresh toppings and a squeeze of lime to really make it pop!

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Tried it? Tag your dish with #TortillaCasseroleMagic and share your version!