Taco Casserole
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
10
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Tex-Mex
Taco Casserole
Description
This casserole begins by sautéing chopped onion and bell pepper until softened, then browning lean ground beef seasoned with garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. After browning, black beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, corn, water (or chicken broth), fresh lime juice, and chopped cilantro are stirred into the beef mixture.
In a sprayed baking dish, layers of halved corn tortillas alternate with thirds of the beef mixture and blended shredded cheeses. The assembled casserole is baked at 375°F until the cheese melts and the casserole is heated through. Optional toppings like sour cream, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeños, onions, radishes, cilantro, lettuce, and Mexican hot sauce can be added after baking.
The dish serves warm and pairs well with lime wedges to enhance brightness. For a spicier version, cayenne pepper or fresh jalapeños can be added during cooking. Using pre-shredded Mexican cheese blends speeds preparation.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/4 cups chopped red onion or yellow onion
- 1 1/4 cups chopped red bell pepper
- 1 1/4 lbs. ground beef lean
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin ground
- 1 (14.5 oz) can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes fire roasted
- 1 cup corn frozen
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
- 1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice plus lime wedges for serving
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
- 15 (6-inch) corn tortilla cut into halves
- Taco toppings (optional, see notes)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Heat oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper, saute 4 minutes. Scoot to the far side.
- Crumble in beef, season with salt and pepper. Let brown on bottom, then break up beef and continue to cook until browned. Drain fat.
- Add garlic, chili powder and cumin and cook 1 minute longer.
- Stir in black beans, tomatoes, corn, water, lime juice, and cilantro and remove from heat.
- To assemble casserole, layer 10 tortilla halves along bottom of baking dish, work to cover whole bottom surface as best possible.
- Spoon and spread 1/3 of the beef mixture over tortilla layer.
- Toss cheeses together and spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture over beef layer.
- Repeat this layering process with tortillas, beef filling and cheese two more times.
- Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes.
- Finish with optional toppings then cut into slices. Serve warm with lime wedges if desired.
Notes
- Optional taco toppings such as sour cream, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeños, onions, radishes, cilantro, or lettuce add fresh flavor and texture.
- To increase heat, incorporate 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the meat and vegetable mix.
- Using pre-shredded Mexican blend cheese can reduce preparation time.
- Serve with lime wedges to brighten the flavors after baking.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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