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Easy Mexican Casserole Recipe has the most delicious layers of cheese, ground beef, tortillas and more. This casserole is perfect for dinner any night of the week and loaded with tons of flavor.

A piece of this Mexican casserole on a plate topped with tortilla strips and sliced jalapeños.
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Easy Mexican Casserole Recipe

What is the best way to describe this casserole? Well, I am teetering between super yummy and super easy.

Take your pick, both describe it equally well. I was in a rush to get something made quickly so I just threw in a few things I had sitting around.

This meal uses pantry staples that you probably already have.

Your family will love this meal! Our entire family loves this recipe and it is now one of our favorite meals to make.

Layers of simple ingredients come together for a casserole full of comfort food.

Close up of a piece of this Mexican casserole being removed from the baking pan.

Ingredient list

  • ground beef – I used cooked ground beef I had in the freezer so it was even easier.
  • Chili Beans – You can also use homemade ranch beans. I had some in the freezer and it made the recipe even easier.
  • Rotel – If you don’t have this in the pantry, use a small can of green chilies and a can of diced tomatoes for an easy substitution.
  • crushed tomatoes – Diced tomatoes make a great substitution.
  • corn tortillas
  • sour cream
  • cheddar cheese-Cheddar, Colby Jack and Mexican blend cheese would all be delicious.

How to make Mexican casserole

First, brown meat in a large skillet and drain. If you are using cooked ground beef from the freezer like I did, just thaw it first.

Second, add the taco seasoning, stir in the beans, diced tomatoes, and crushed tomato in the skillet. You can easily adapt this step for what you have on hand.

The meat mixture being cooked in a large cast iron pan.

Get your baking dish ready. It is perfect in a 13×9 casserole dish. Place a layer of tortillas on the bottom.

Corn tortillas cut up and laid at the bottom of a 9X13 baking pan.

Then, pour half of the meat mixture over the tortillas.

The meat mixture poured on top of the corn tortillas.

Spread over the tortillas and sprinkle with half the cheese.

The shredded cheese on top of the casserole in a 9X13 baking pan.

Repeat the process one more time. Add another layer of tortillas on top.

Spread the remaining meat mixture over the tortillas. The last step is to spread the sour cream on top and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.

You are going to love how the sour cream blends into this casserole. I think it brings it all together and adds such a layer of creaminess.

Cover with foil and bake. The foil will prevent the cheese from getting too brown before the rest of the casserole has finished cooking.

Jump to recipe below for the full details.

The casserole baked

What to serve with Mexican casserole?

Everything you need for a great dinner is in this casserole. It is an easy one pot meal if your family enjoys Mexican food.

You really can just serve it with crushed tortilla chips and a salad. If I have extra time I will make this Delicious Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe and  Crock Pot Refried Beans.

Both of these side dish ideas are easy and do not take much time or effort.

Ideas for dessert:

A piece of this Mexican casserole on a plate topped with tortilla strips and sliced jalapeños

Topping ideas:

sour cream

diced onion

shredded lettuce

hot sauce

salsa

diced tomatoes

guacamole

A piece of this Mexican casserole on a plate topped with tortilla strips and sliced jalapeños with another piece on a plate behind it

Variation ideas:

  • Try ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef.
  • Use leftover shredded chicken or beef. It does not have to be ground.
  • Substitute flour tortillas for corn tortillas.
  • Add pinto beans with the black beans or substitute them.
  • Try different types of cheese- Mexican blend, Monterrey, Colby and more are all delicious.
  • Add bell peppers and chopped onion. Green Chiles are also delicious if you like to spice things up.
  • Toss in a handful of corn. Frozen, canned or fresh would work. Use what you have.
  • Rice would be a great addition to this casserole. Either mix it in with the beef or make it a layer. This is also a great way to stretch your meat.
  • Vegetarian option- Omit the ground beef and add 2 cups beans instead. Pinto or black beans would taste great.
  • Black olives taste great baked on top of the cheese. It also looks pretty too.
  • Use salsa or enchilada sauce in place o the crushed tomatoes layer.
  • Add jalapeno peppers into the casserole if you love spicy dishes. Another idea is to top each serving with a few slices if you do not want them in the entire dish.
A piece of this Mexican casserole on a plate topped with tortilla strips and sliced jalapeños with whole jalapeños behind it

How to freeze Easy Mexican casserole recipe:

I like to make 2 of these at a time because it isn’t any more work. All of the ingredients are already out and it is so easy.

So I do one for dinner that day and then put one in the freezer for a later time. This is a huge help and a big time saver.

Just make the casserole as directed but I like to use a tin toil pan for the one going in the freezer.

However, instead of baking, cover with foil and allow to cool.  Once cooled, freeze.

It isn’t anymore work to make 2 and you have a great dinner for another night.

How to reheat:

To bake, remove from the freezer the day before you want to eat it and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Bake at 350 degrees until cooked through and the cheese is melted on top.

How to store:

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Use a container with a lid to keep leftovers the freshest.

A bite of the Mexican casserole on a fork.

We love Mexican casserole with beef.

The creamy sauce in this casserole recipe is so delicious. This Mexican casserole is quick and easy and oh so tasty.

You will love all of the melted cheesy in this dish and it really makes for a great recipe.  This has quickly become a family favorite around here and one we all look forward to.

It is inexpensive to make and perfect for company. Everyone leaves happy and wants the recipe.

Make this today and be prepared for it to become a family favorite in your home too. It is so simple to substitute items for what you have on hand. Anyone can make this.

The next time your family is craving Mexican food, save money and make this at home. Mexican Monday will be everyone’s favorite day of the week.

Print this ultimate Mexican casserole below:

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Easy Mexican Casserole Recipe

4.95 from 147 votes
Easy Mexican Casserole Recipe has the most delicious layers of cheese, ground beef, tortillas and more. This casserole is perfect any day of the week.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine Mexican
Course Main Course
Calories 699

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Brown meat in large skillet. Drain.
  • Add taco seasoning, beans, diced tomatoes, and crushed tomato to the skillet.
  • Spray 13×9 casserole dish. Place a layer of tortillas on the bottom.
  • Pour half of the meat mixture over the tortillas. Spread with half the tortillas and sprinkle with half the cheese. Place another layer of tortillas on top. Pour the remainder of the meat mixture over the tortillas, spread the sour cream over the top and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
  • Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until cheese is nice and bubbly.
  • Serve with tortilla chips and a salad. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Calories 699kcal, Carbohydrates 26g, Protein 36g, Fat 50g, Saturated Fat 27g, Cholesterol 156mg, Sodium 663mg, Potassium 432mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 2g, Vitamin A 1107IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 666mg, Iron 3mg

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Easy Mexican Casserole has delicious layers of cheese, ground beef, tortillas and more. This casserole is perfect any night of the week. This Mexican Casserole with beef is easy to make and packed with tons of flavor too! #eatingonadime #mexicanrecipes #casserolerecipes #beefrecipes

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Tried this a couple weeks ago. Everyone loved it, including my niece’s two year old. “Mommy, make home” he told her as he scarfed it up. I think that is the ultimate praise for a good tasting dish! I served it with a broccolini salad.

    I’m making up some more to freeze for a quick meal for my husband and me.

  2. 5 stars
    I made this tonight and it was very yummy!! Will make again but will probably add some jalapeno next time just to kick it up and make it a little spicer for me, but overall a really good recipe and was able to make the hamburger mixture the day before I put it all together.

  3. This looks Soo good… And definitely easy enough for a week night meal. This is Soo versatile… You can serve with Spanish rice, or a fresh salad. I love the idea of different toppings like crunchy jalapenos, pico de gallo, chunks of avocado, fresh cilantro… The ideas are endless!!! Thank you for sharing the recipe…?

  4. I like to mash avocado with a Tb or so mayo, add chopped lettuce, stir in chopped tomatoes and salt to taste: easy, fast salad, stretches the last avocado and cools the palate if I used too much spice (I like to add red enchilada sauce)

  5. Can’t wait to try the Mexican casserole recipe! Going to fix it for my Bible study group ??
    Going to serve it with Xtra sour cream, purple onions, chopped, and tomato and lettuce.

  6. I would serve this with freshly made tortilla chips , plenty of fresh guacamole,top with crisp pica de Gallo and sliced black olives with a dab of sour cream.

  7. I would top these with jalepenos and cruncht tortilla chips! We are actually having it tonight! EOD recipes keep our family fed!!!!

  8. Think I’m going to try it with a slightly spicy sour cream, little ground dried Chilli pepper and fresh ground pepper… sounds delicious!

  9. I would serve this casserole with Sour Cream and Quacamole and some Spanish Rice. This casserole sounds so delicious.

  10. That sounds yummy! I would serve it with Spanish rice and top it with salsa, sour cream, and shredded lettuce.

  11. I would fry the tortillas first, I would add fresh cooked pinto beans, I would mix Monterey and Colby cheese together, I like to shred the cheese myself. I would use shredded lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes to use on the top when they come out of the oven.

  12. Looks fairly easy especially for those of us who don’t have a lot of time to cook.

    I’m from Texas, so I would serve a dinner salad with a light ranch dressing with multi colored tortilla strips on top.

  13. 5 stars
    I will top the mexican casserole with black olives and green onions. This is the first recipe i have found that used corn tortillas. Can’t wait untill Friday to make it.

  14. This casserole looks really yummy!! I’d probably top it with sour cream and guacamole!! I might even sprinkle crushed Nacho cheese or taco flavored Doritos!

  15. I love these recipes they are easy and the recipe that I have tried my family loves them.

  16. 5 stars
    I’m gonna make this casserole tonight for dinner, because it sounds & looks delicious & it’s easy!!! Can’t wait to make it!!! ??. I will serve it with lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, & diced onions, & some fresh salsa that I made today & of course freshly sliced jalapeños!!!! Yummy ?

  17. 5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe using ground turkey so many times but never added the sour cream. Can’t wait to try it with that addition. I add lots of onions, peppers, black olives and even mushrooms to bulk it up with extra veggies. I have even made it in the Instapot and it comes out great. Want a spicier version, replace some or all of the meat with some chorizo. I serve it with a side vegetable.

  18. 5 stars
    Served with crockpot pinto beans. Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes avocado and fresh salsa

  19. I would serve it with Spanish or Mexican rice and use fresh roasted hot green chiles to add extra flavor.

  20. 4 stars
    This looks delicious. I’m going to put it on the menu this week. I would serve it with diced Avacado, olives, and sour cream. I would also make spanish rice to serve with it.

  21. This looks yummy! I just checked the pantry and I don’t have chili beans, but I have refried beans. I think I will try them, and I have mexicorn I may use too! Can’t wait for dinner tomorrow!

  22. 5 stars
    The only way this could be any better is to add some shredded lettuce, squeezable sour cream drizzle, and some restaurant stye salsa. Amazing!

  23. This sounds super easy and yummy! I would serve with a salad or have extra toppings for people to pick from (lettuce, guacamole,salsa, extra cheese , extra sour cream etc.)

  24. 5 stars
    Best Mexican casseroles. I ‘ll have to try them all.
    I would serve this with Mexican rice and salad.

  25. 5 stars
    We ?? Mexican food! Margaritas, Jarritos, nachos, and Spanish rice are excellent sides. For this casserole, I would have various bowls with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, sour cream, diced onions, diced tomatoes, hot sauce/salsa and guacamole dip for toppings. Although it is a casserole, taco toppings would complete the meal. Limes cut into eighths should be made available to help cut the spiciness as not everyone can tolerate the heat.

  26. 5 stars
    I made this and my family loved it. I served it with Refried Beans, Mexican Rice and we had Chips and Salsa. SO GOOD

  27. 5 stars
    This sound delish and perfect for our meal rotation! I would serve this with additional sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa and jalapeños.. Black olives for my husband only. 😉 Perfect Mexican dish toppings!!

  28. I am going to make this Mexican Casserole. I will definitely have diced tomatoes, Hot sauce, and salsa to add if anyone wants.

  29. 5 stars
    When I serve a Mexican dish, I usually make a “Mexican” salad. Lettuce, tomatoes, onion, black olives and shredded cheese. Then I sprinkle it liberally with taco seasoning, give it stir and serve.

  30. My family and I loved this so much. I will be making this often. I added corn and rice to it.?

  31. Hello from Algeria! There’s no Mexican food over here, so I wasn’t sure if this would fly with my in-laws…but they loved it. I’m glad I made two of them (I froze one for later). Next time, I might add some rice, as suggested. Thanks for the taste of home!

  32. The recipe card is toward the bottom of the post with all the quantities and measurements. You can also use the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page and it will take you to the recipe with all this information. Thank you!

  33. Thank you so much Barry! That means so much to me and I’m so glad that you both enjoy this recipe and the taco seasoning!

  34. 5 stars
    I used this recipe last night for my second time, as my wife really liked it the first time. I followed your recipe exactly, except I used flour instead of corn tortillas. I even used Carrie’s taco seasoning recipe. Served over corn chips with lettuce and salsa on top. Once again, you make me look like I know what I’m doing in the kitchen.

  35. I haven’t tried that yet but I think flour tortillas would work great in this recipe too.

  36. This was yummy! I didn’t add in sour cream, used both flour tortillas and low carb tortillas (separate batches), and used three different cheeses. Served it with lettuce and more tomatoes. Yum yum! Thanks.

  37. I hope you love it – I think the additional of cream cheese will be delicious in this recipe!

  38. 4 stars
    I can’t wait to make this dish! I love to add cream cheese to Mexican dishes for an extra thickness so I may add that when “spreading the sour cream!” Also, I’m not a huge fan of beans so I may only use half a can or take them out totally!

    Thank you for this great base idea! Seems quick and easy!

  39. I plan to make your Easy Mexican Casserole for dinner tonight. Do you drain the beans, Rotel and tomatoes or not?

  40. I made this for a family camping trip, everyone just loved it. Next time I’m going to add corn also.

  41. Please tell me what I can substitute the beans with. My guy doesn’t care for beans even I love them

  42. 5 stars
    My family and I love this recipe. My husband who never eats left overs came in after dinner from working outside and wanted more. Next time I make this I think I will add onions and jalapenos for more of a kick. I did add some crushed red chili peppers but I didn’t add enough. It’s a pretty mild recipe. It is delicious and easy.

  43. Looks good…but a few comments:
    Tortillas…you have 24 pieces on the bottom.Then you say “spread with half the tortillas” after the meat is put in. Maybe you want to say “half remaining tortillas”?
    Also you say “spread more sour cream”, but you never told us to put any sour cream in before this?

    Thanks…