Description
Cheesy Tortilla Meat Bake is a hearty and flavorful Mexican-inspired casserole that layers seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and salsa between crispy tortilla wedges, all topped with melted Mexican blend cheese. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight meal and can be customized with your choice of tortillas and protein.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup salsa
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels, drained
- 6 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into wedges
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion until the beef is fully browned and the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Add Spices and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper, cooking for about 1 minute until the mixture is fragrant.
- Mix in Salsa, Beans, and Corn: Add salsa, black beans, and corn kernels to the skillet, then simmer everything together for about 3 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Layer Tortillas and Meat Mixture: Arrange half of the tortilla wedges evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the meat and bean mixture over the tortillas, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Add Remaining Layers: Place the remaining tortilla wedges on top, followed by the rest of the meat mixture. Finish by topping with the remaining shredded cheese evenly.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the top before serving warm.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.
- Serve with sour cream, avocado slices, or extra salsa for enhanced flavor and texture.
- Use corn tortillas to make the recipe gluten-free.
- To add more heat, include diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper with the spices.
