Irresistible Tex Mex Casserole Recipe for Fiesta-Filled Dinners

Crafting a delightful Tex-Mex casserole brings together layers of vibrant flavors that dance on your palate.

Spicy ingredients mingle with creamy textures, creating a comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Cheese melts into golden pools, blanketing seasoned proteins and colorful vegetables.

Each bite promises a journey through southwestern-inspired comfort food.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish combines classic mexican and texan culinary traditions.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, making preparation a breeze for busy cooks.

Warm up your kitchen and your taste buds with this crowd-pleasing recipe that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

How To Prepare Tex Mex Casserole

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Warm your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown The Beef

Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into tiny pieces until no pink remains, about 7-8 minutes.

Step 3: Sauté Flavor Boosters

• Onions
• Garlic

Add these aromatic ingredients to the beef, cooking until they become soft and release their delicious scent, roughly 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Spice It Up

Sprinkle taco seasoning over the meat and vegetables, ensuring every morsel gets coated with zesty flavors.

Step 5: Create Tex Mex Magic

• Black beans
• Corn
• Diced tomatoes

Mix these ingredients into the beef mixture, creating a vibrant and colorful base.

Step 6: Build The First Layer

Spread half of the tortilla chips across the bottom of the baking dish, creating a crunchy foundation.

Step 7: Add Meaty Goodness

Distribute the beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the tortilla chip layer.

Step 8: Cheese Heaven

Shower shredded cheese across the top, covering the entire surface with melty deliciousness.

Step 9: Crispy Topping

Layer the remaining tortilla chips on top, creating a golden, crunchy crown.

Step 10: Bake To Perfection

Slide the casserole into the oven and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden masterpiece.

Step 11: Rest And Settle

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.

Step 12: Final Flourish

Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro and add dollops of sour cream for a restaurant-worthy finish.

Tips For Perfect Tex Mex Casserole

• Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a vegetarian version that maintains protein and flavor.
• Select low-sodium taco seasoning to control salt intake and create a healthier meal option.
• Crush tortilla chips coarsely to ensure even distribution and better texture throughout the casserole.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or Mexican cheese mix for extra zesty flavor profiles.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to maintain the crispy chip texture, avoiding microwave softening.

Flavor Variations For Tex Mex Casserole

• Chicken Fiesta Casserole: Replace ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken for a lighter protein option, keeping the same spicy Tex-Mex flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Bean Bake: Swap ground beef with extra black beans, add diced bell peppers, and use plant-based cheese for a meatless version that's packed with protein.
• Spicy Green Chile Casserole: Incorporate roasted green chiles, use pepper jack cheese, and add a dash of cayenne pepper to intensify the heat and complexity of the dish.
• Seafood Southwest Casserole: Substitute beef with cooked shrimp or white fish, mix in some crab meat, and top with a zesty lime-cilantro sauce for a coastal twist.

Serving Suggestions For Tex Mex Casserole

• Fiesta Night Crowd-Pleaser
• Serve this casserole at game day gatherings with cold beer and extra salsa. Friends will devour every cheesy, crunchy bite while watching sports.
• Taco Tuesday Transformer
• Transform weeknight dinners by plating individual portions alongside crisp green salad. Sprinkle extra tortilla chips around the edges for added crunch and visual appeal.
• Potluck Party Star
• Bring this dish to neighborhood gatherings in a portable covered casserole dish. Top with fresh jalapeños and additional cilantro for a zesty presentation that will wow fellow guests.
• Leftover Lunch Remix
• Reheat portions in microwave and wrap in warm tortillas for a quick next-day meal. Drizzle with hot sauce or add sliced avocado for an upgraded lunch experience.

Storage Tips For Tex Mex Casserole

• Transfer leftover casserole to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Wrap the cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2-3 months, perfect for make-ahead meal preparation.
• Thaw frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive drying.
• Divide the casserole into individual serving portions before storing, making it easier to reheat only the amount needed and maintain optimal taste and texture.

FAQs

• Is this recipe spicy?

The heat level depends on your taco seasoning. Choose mild for kids or add hot sauce for extra kick.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works perfectly and creates a leaner version of the casserole.

• Do I need to drain the canned vegetables?

Yes, drain black beans and corn to prevent excess liquid in the casserole, which could make the dish soggy.

• What if I don't have tortilla chips?

Substitute with crushed corn tortillas or even leftover cornbread for a similar crunchy texture.

Tex Mex Casserole Full Of Flavor

• Quick and Hearty Weeknight Meal: This chili verde transforms simple ingredients into a delicious, satisfying dinner that comes together with minimal fuss, perfect for busy families craving authentic Mexican-inspired flavors.
• Master Complex Flavors with Ease: Roasting tomatillos and layering spices like cumin and oregano create a deep, rich taste profile that seems complicated but is actually straightforward for home cooks to achieve.
• Versatile Comfort Food: Serve this robust pork stew over rice, stuff into tortillas, or enjoy as a standalone dish, making it adaptable for different meal styles and preferences without compromising on taste.
• One-Pot Cooking Magic: Streamline your cooking process by using a single pot, reducing cleanup time and allowing flavors to develop slowly and intensely while you relax or handle other tasks.

Ingredients For Tex Mex Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty meat that provides rich flavor and substantial texture to the casserole.

• Onions, Garlic: These aromatics create a deep, savory foundation for the dish.
• Black Beans, Corn, Diced Tomatoes: These vegetables add nutritional value, color, and Tex-Mex inspired flavor to the casserole.

• Taco Seasoning: A spice blend that delivers classic Tex-Mex taste and warmth to the meat mixture.
• Tortilla Chips: Provide a crispy texture and serve as both a base and topping for the casserole.
• Shredded Cheese: Melts to create a creamy, golden layer that binds the ingredients together.
• Cilantro, Sour Cream: Optional garnishes that add freshness and creamy contrast to the dish.

Tex Mex Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Tex Mex Casserole brings layers of spicy southwestern comfort to dinner tables across Texas. Melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and zesty beans create a perfect one-dish meal that satisfies hungry families in minutes.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup rice, uncooked
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Optional toppings: cilantro, jalapeños, diced tomatoes

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
3. Add diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in taco seasoning, ensuring the meat and vegetables are evenly coated with spices.
5. Pour in black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes, mixing thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
6. Layer half of the tortilla chips across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a crunchy base.
7. Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the tortilla chip layer.
8. Sprinkle shredded cheese generously across the top, covering the entire surface.
9. Top with remaining tortilla chips, creating a crispy upper layer.
10. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted and edges are golden brown.
11. Remove from oven and let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
12. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and dollops of sour cream if desired.

Notes

• Swap ground beef for plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu or black beans to create a vegetarian version that’s just as hearty and flavorful.
• Reduce heat sensitivity by using mild salsa and removing jalapeño seeds, making the dish more kid-friendly without compromising taste.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline cooking process, allowing you to assemble the casserole quickly on busy weeknights.
• Customize toppings like Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, or diced avocado to add extra layers of texture and freshness right before serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 488 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 710 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg