📖 Description

This cheesy Mexican taco casserole is a family-friendly dinner recipe that combines bold Tex-Mex flavors with the comfort of a baked pasta dish. Instead of noodles, soft tortillas create delicious layers between seasoned ground beef, rich enchilada sauce, and gooey melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. After baking, it’s topped with fresh pico de gallo, sliced black olives, jalapeños, and cilantro for a vibrant finish.

It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep ideas, potlucks, or game day recipes. This dish is high-protein, customizable, and can easily be adapted into a low-carb casserole or gluten-free Mexican bake.

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Beef Filling:

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)

• 1 cup canned black beans (optional)

• 1 cup corn kernels (optional)

• 1 cup enchilada sauce or salsa

• Salt & pepper to taste

For Layering:

• 6–8 small flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

• 1 cup sour cream

Toppings:

• 1 cup diced tomatoes

• ½ cup sliced black olives

• 1–2 jalapeños, sliced

• ½ avocado, diced

• Fresh cilantro, chopped

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish.

2. In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned.

3. Add onion and garlic; sauté until soft.

4. Stir in taco seasoning, beans, corn, and enchilada sauce. Simmer 5 minutes.

5. Spread a thin layer of beef mixture in baking dish.

6. Add a tortilla layer, then beef mixture, sour cream, and cheese.

7. Repeat layers until ingredients are used, finishing with cheese.

8. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

9. Remove from oven and top with tomatoes, olives, jalapeños, avocado, and cilantro.

10. Let rest 5–10 minutes before slicing.

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🔥 Pro Tips for Best Results

• Use freshly shredded cheese for better melt quality.

• Add cream cheese to the beef mixture for extra richness.

• Make it keto-friendly by replacing tortillas with low-carb wraps.

• For meal prep, refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

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