3 Easy Mexican Casserole Recipes for a Crowd-Pleasing Dinner
Are you looking for a simple, hearty, and incredibly flavorful dinner idea that can feed the whole family with minimal fuss?
A Mexican casserole is the perfect answer. It’s the ultimate one-pan wonder, layering delicious ingredients like seasoned ground beef, tender chicken, and savory beans with tortillas and cheese for a bubbling, satisfying meal.
Today, we’re exploring three different but equally delicious Mexican casserole recipes that are perfect for any night of the week.
We’ll start with a classic, family-friendly Layered Beef Taco Casserole. Then, we’ll make a tangy and Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole using a zesty salsa verde.
Finally, for a wholesome and satisfying vegetarian option, we’ll create a Cheesy Black Bean and Corn Rice Bake.
These recipes are designed to be easy to assemble, perfect for making ahead, and a guaranteed hit at the dinner table. Let’s get our baking dishes ready!
Essential Tools
- 9×13 inch Baking Dish
- Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Spatula or Large Spoon
- Can Opener
- Cheese Grater
Recipe 1: Layered Beef Taco Casserole
This is the quintessential “Mexican casserole.” It has all the delicious flavors of a classic ground beef taco, but in an easy-to-serve, layered bake.
Quick Recipe Snapshot
| Prep time | Cook time | Total time | Yield | Skill level | Spice level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 25-30 minutes | 45 minutes | 8 servings | Easy | Mild |
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- Lean Ground Beef: 2 lbs.
- Taco Seasoning: 2 (1 oz) packets.
- Refried Beans: 1 (16 oz) can.
- Corn Tortillas: 12.
- Salsa: 1 (16 oz) jar, your favorite kind.
- Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese: 3 cups.
- Toppings: Sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Beef and Oven
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it is browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon. It is very important to drain all of the excess grease from the skillet.
Return the beef to the skillet, stir in the taco seasoning packets and about ½ cup of water, and let it simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
Step 2: Assemble the Layers
Spread the entire can of refried beans evenly over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 of the corn tortillas over the beans in a single, slightly overlapping layer.
Spoon the cooked taco meat evenly over the tortillas. Pour the jar of salsa over the meat, and then sprinkle about half of the shredded cheese over the salsa.
Step 3: Top and Bake
Arrange the remaining 6 corn tortillas over the cheese layer. Sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving with your favorite toppings.
Recipe 2: Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
This dish has all the tangy, cheesy flavor of green chicken enchiladas, but in an easy-to-assemble, layered format.
Quick Recipe Snapshot
| Prep time | Cook time | Total time | Yield | Skill level | Spice level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 25-30 minutes | 45 minutes | 8 servings | Easy | Mild-Medium |
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- Shredded Cooked Chicken: 4 cups (a rotisserie chicken is perfect).
- Salsa Verde (Green Salsa): 1 large (24 oz) jar.
- Corn Tortillas: 12, torn into quarters.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: 1 cup.
- Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese: 3 cups.
- Diced Green Chiles: 1 (4 oz) can, drained.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Filling
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, the sour cream, 2 cups of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and the can of drained diced green chiles.
Stir everything together until it is well combined into a creamy, savory filling.
Step 2: Layer the Casserole
Pour about 1 cup of the salsa verde into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it around. Place half of your torn tortilla pieces in an even layer over the sauce.
Spoon the entire chicken and cream cheese mixture over the tortillas and spread it out evenly.
Step 3: Finish and Bake
Pour the remaining salsa verde over the chicken layer, making sure to cover it completely. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe 3: Cheesy Black Bean and Corn Rice Bake (Vegetarian)
This is a hearty and wholesome vegetarian casserole that is packed with flavor and comes together in a flash.
Quick Recipe Snapshot
| Prep time | Cook time | Total time | Yield | Skill level | Spice level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 20-25 minutes | 35 minutes | 8 servings | Easy | Mild |
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- Cooked Rice: 4 cups (white or brown).
- Black Beans: 1 (15 oz) can, rinsed and drained.
- Corn: 1 (15 oz) can, drained.
- Salsa: 1 (16 oz) jar, your favorite kind.
- Shredded Cheddar or Mexican Blend Cheese: 2 cups.
- Spices: 1 tsp each of cumin and chili powder.
- Toppings: Sliced avocado, cilantro, sour cream.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Mix the Ingredients
This one-step prep is incredibly easy. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, the rinsed black beans, the drained corn, the jar of salsa, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, the cumin, and the chili powder.
Step 2: Assemble and Bake
Stir all the ingredients together until they are very well combined. Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out into an even layer.
Top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Step 3: Bake and Serve
Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it is heated through and the cheese on top is completely melted and bubbly.
Let it rest for a few minutes before you scoop and serve it with your favorite toppings like sliced avocado and a dollop of sour cream.
The Flavor Architects A Look at the Ingredients
- Taco Seasoning (Beef Casserole): The classic blend of chili powder, cumin, and paprika is the heart of the beef topping, providing a warm, savory, and slightly smoky flavor.
- Salsa Verde (Chicken Casserole): This green salsa made from tangy tomatillos, onion, and cilantro provides an instant, perfectly balanced, and zesty sauce that is a classic pairing with creamy chicken.
- Black Beans & Corn (Vegetarian Bake): This duo is a vegetarian powerhouse. The black beans provide a hearty, earthy flavor and plenty of protein and fiber, while the corn adds a wonderful pop of sweetness and texture.
- Shredded Cheese: In all these dishes, a good melting cheese like Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend is what brings everything together, adding a savory, salty flavor and creating that irresistible gooey, cheesy texture.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Storage: Let any leftover casserole cool completely. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot. To reheat a larger portion, place it in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| My casserole is greasy. | It is very important to thoroughly drain all the excess fat from the ground beef after browning it and before you add it to the casserole. This is the number one step to prevent a greasy result. |
| My casserole is dry. | You likely didn’t use enough sauce. The tortillas or rice will absorb a lot of liquid as they bake. Don’t be afraid to be generous with the salsa or enchilada sauce to ensure the final dish is moist and not dry. |
| The bottom layer is soggy. | For the tortilla-based casseroles, putting a thin layer of sauce on the very bottom of the dish before you add your first layer of tortillas helps, but some softness on the bottom is normal for this style of casserole. |
FAQs
Can I assemble these casseroles ahead of time?
Yes, all of these are perfect make-ahead meals. You can fully assemble any of these casseroles, cover them tightly, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time since they will be starting from cold.
Can I freeze these Mexican casseroles?
Yes, they freeze very well. Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe baking dish, but do not bake it. Cover the dish tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil.
They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
How can I make these recipes spicy?
The easiest way to add a spicy kick to any of these recipes is to use a “hot” salsa or enchilada sauce.
You can also add a can of drained, diced jalapeños or a teaspoon of chipotle powder to your meat or bean mixture.
Enjoy Your Easy and Comforting Casserole Dinner!
You now have three fantastic and reliable Mexican casserole recipes that are perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Whether you’re in the mood for a savory beef bake, a creamy chicken dish, or a wholesome vegetarian option, there’s a perfect and easy choice here for you.
Enjoy!
