Simple Mexican Casserole

Name: Simple Mexican Casserole
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef or turkey; 1 onion, chopped; 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed; 1 can corn, drained; 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies; 1 packet taco seasoning; 2 cups cooked rice; 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend); Tortilla chips (optional for topping); Chopped cilantro (for garnish, optional)

By: RILEY

Published: January 30, 2025

Print Recipe

Why Make This Recipe

Simple Mexican Casserole is a delightful dish that brings the flavors of Mexico right to your table. It’s not only delicious, but it’s also easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd. This dish layers ground meat, beans, corn, and cheese, creating a warm and comforting meal that everyone will love. Plus, it allows for great customization, so you can adjust it to fit your family’s tastes.

How to Make Simple Mexican Casserole

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 onion, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 packet taco seasoning
2 cups cooked rice
2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
Tortilla chips (optional for topping)
Chopped cilantro (for garnish, optional)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey with the chopped onion over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning. Cook for about 5 minutes until heated through.
In a large baking dish, layer the cooked rice, followed by the meat mixture. Top with shredded cheese.
Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve hot, garnished with cilantro and tortilla chips if desired.

How to Serve Simple Mexican Casserole

Serve Simple Mexican Casserole hot from the oven. You can add toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or extra salsa for added flavor. It pairs well with a fresh salad or some Mexican rice on the side.

How to Store Simple Mexican Casserole

To store leftovers, let the casserole cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the casserole for up to 2 months. Just make sure to reheat it thoroughly before enjoying again.

Tips to Make Simple Mexican Casserole

Feel free to use ground turkey for a leaner option.
You can add more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for extra nutrition.
Make sure to season the meat well; you can adjust the taco seasoning to your taste.
For a spicier kick, consider adding jalapeños or using spicy diced tomatoes.

Variation

For a vegetarian version, you can replace the ground meat with additional beans, lentils, or a meat alternative. Just make sure to keep the other ingredients the same, and you will have a hearty and satisfying meal.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes, you can use any cheese you like! Pepper jack, mozzarella, or a blend of your favorites would work great.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare it up to a day in advance, just cover it and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.

What can I serve with this casserole?
This casserole goes well with a side of Mexican rice, a fresh salad, or even just some tortilla chips with salsa.

Simple Mexican Casserole

A delightful and easy-to-prepare casserole that layers ground meat, beans, corn, and cheese for a comforting Mexican dish that feeds a crowd.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

By: Riley
Category: DINNER
Difficulty: Not specified
Cuisine: Not specified
Yield: 6 Servings
Dietary: None

Ingredients

01 1 lb ground beef or turkey
02 1 onion, chopped
03 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
04 1 can corn, drained
05 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
06 1 packet taco seasoning
07 2 cups cooked rice
08 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
09 Tortilla chips (optional for topping)
10 Chopped cilantro (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

Step 01

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 02

2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey with the chopped onion over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.

Step 03

3. Stir in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning. Cook for about 5 minutes until heated through.

Step 04

4. In a large baking dish, layer the cooked rice, followed by the meat mixture. Top with shredded cheese.

Step 05

5. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 06

6. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro and tortilla chips if desired.

Riley

Hi there I’m Riley Thompson, 42 years old, currently cooking, teaching, and experimenting from my cozy kitchen in Asheville, North Carolina. I wasn’t always a chef. In fact, I spent the first part of my adult life working in advertising in Chicago, living on takeout and black coffee. But somewhere between late nights and client deadlines, I realized that the happiest moments of my week were when I was trying to recreate my grandmother’s chicken pot pie on Sunday afternoons. That slow shift from eating to cooking sparked something deeper in me. I started small watching cooking shows, reading old cookbooks, and playing around with ingredients I barely knew how to pronounce. I burned a lot of things. I under-seasoned even more. But every time I nailed a dish. even a simple scrambled egg.I felt like I’d won a little prize. That joy never left. When I turned 30, I left my job, much to everyone’s confusion, and enrolled in a local culinary program. It was terrifying and thrilling. I wasn’t the youngest, or the fastest, but I was obsessed. After graduation, I spent a few years working in restaurants, picking up everything I could about timing, knife work, and how to stay calm when you’re ten tickets deep on a Saturday night. But it was in my own kitchen, making meals for friends and family, that I found my groove. These days, I focus on helping home cooks people just like you feel confident in the kitchen. I believe in recipes that work but also leave room for creativity. Cooking should feel like jazz, not math. I want you to taste, adjust, and make it your own. Some of the best meals I’ve ever had were “mistakes” that turned out better than the plan. I love teaching people how to use what they already have in their pantry, how to trust their palate, and how to bring a little fun into every meal. Whether it's a Tuesday night pasta or a weekend brunch with friends, my goal is to help you find the rhythm and joy in cooking without the stress. So come hang out, grab your favorite knife, and let’s cook something delicious together. Mistakes welcome. Seconds encouraged.

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