Hearty Mexican Layered Beef & Bean Casserole: The Ultimate Family Dinner

There’s nothing quite like a comforting casserole to bring the family together, especially one bursting with vibrant Mexican flavors. This layered beef and cheese casserole isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, a symphony of savory ground beef, robust black beans, tangy tomatoes, and melted cheese, all nestled between soft tortillas. It’s so satisfying and complete, you’ll find it only needs a simple salad to round out your dinner table.

Why This Mexican Layered Casserole is a Weeknight Winner

This “Beefy Bean Bake” isn’t just delicious; it’s incredibly practical for busy households. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your weekly rotation:

• Effortless Preparation: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, this recipe is perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Freezer-Friendly Flexibility: If you’re a fan of meal prepping, having pre-cooked ground beef and onions in your freezer can shave valuable minutes off your cooking time. If your freezer stock is running low, this dish offers a great opportunity to restock on cooked meat for future meals.
• Complete Meal Potential: This hearty casserole packs protein, fiber, and plenty of flavor, making it a nearly complete meal on its own. Add a simple side, and dinner is served!
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The classic combination of Mexican spices, savory beef, and melty cheese is sure to be a hit with everyone, from picky eaters to adventurous foodies.
• Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt the spice level, add your favorite vegetables, or swap out cheeses to suit your family’s preferences.

The beauty of this casserole lies in its layers, each contributing to a rich texture and depth of flavor. From the moment you take your first bite, you’ll be transported to a fiesta of tastes, making it a perfect dish for cozy family dinners, casual get-togethers, or even a comforting meal prep option.

Deep Dive into the Delicious Ingredients

Every ingredient in this Beefy Bean Bake plays a crucial role in creating its iconic Mexican-inspired flavor profile:

• Ground Beef: The foundation of this hearty dish. Using a leaner ground beef (like 85/15 or 90/10) helps reduce excess grease, or you can simply drain any fat after browning. For added flavor, consider a blend of ground beef and ground pork, or even ground turkey for a lighter option.
• Small Onion, Chopped: Onions add a sweet and aromatic base when sautéed with the beef, enhancing the overall savory profile. Yellow or white onions work best for their balanced flavor.
• Black Beans: Rinsing and draining canned black beans is key to removing excess sodium and improving their texture. They contribute a wonderful earthiness and a boost of fiber, making the casserole more filling and nutritious. Pinto beans or kidney beans could be used as an alternative for a slightly different texture and taste.
• Diced Tomatoes (Zesty Style): Zesty diced tomatoes bring a bright, slightly acidic kick that cuts through the richness of the beef and cheese. If you can’t find “zesty style,” regular diced tomatoes with a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce will do the trick.
• Enchilada Sauce: This is the secret to tying all the Mexican flavors together. A good quality enchilada sauce provides that essential savory, slightly smoky, and mildly spicy base. Red or green enchilada sauce will both work, offering slightly different flavor nuances.
• Chili Powder & Cumin: These two spices are the heart and soul of Tex-Mex cuisine. Chili powder provides a warm, earthy heat, while cumin adds a distinct savory, almost smoky aroma. Adjust the amounts to your preferred spice level, or add a pinch of cayenne for an extra kick.
• Cream Cheese, Softened: The softened cream cheese spread on the tortillas adds an incredible layer of creamy indulgence and helps prevent the tortillas from becoming soggy. It melts beautifully, adding richness and a subtle tang that complements the savory beef mixture. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy spreading.
• Diced Green Chilies, Drained: These offer a mild, smoky heat and a lovely vegetal note without overwhelming the dish. Draining them is important to avoid excess moisture. For more heat, opt for a hot variety or include some fresh jalapeños.
• Flour Tortillas: Soft flour tortillas create the perfect layers, absorbing the delicious flavors and adding a tender texture to the casserole. Corn tortillas can also be used for a more authentic Mexican touch, though they might require a quick dip in enchilada sauce to soften before layering.
• Tortilla Chips, Crumbled: The crumbled tortilla chips on top provide a fantastic crunchy texture contrast to the soft layers below, along with a hint of corn flavor. Don’t skip this for that satisfying crunch!
• Mexican Blend Cheese, Shredded: A generous topping of shredded Mexican blend cheese (typically a mix of Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Asadero, and Queso Blanco) melts into a gooey, irresistible crust, sealing in all the flavors. Feel free to use a sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a pepper jack for added heat.

Perfect Pairings: Side Dish Ideas

While this casserole is incredibly filling on its own, a well-chosen side dish can elevate the entire meal. Since the casserole is rich and flavorful, I suggest pairing it with simple, fresh options to balance the meal:

• Tex-Mex Cole Slaw: Our Tex-Mex Cole Slaw, with its zesty dressing and crisp cabbage, would be an excellent choice. Its fresh, tangy notes provide a fantastic contrast to the hearty casserole.
• Raw Veggies with Ranch Dressing: For a quick and easy side, a platter of raw vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, and cherry tomatoes, served with a creamy ranch dressing for dipping, is always a winner. It adds freshness and crunch without any extra cooking.
• Simple Green Salad: A classic green salad with a light vinaigrette is a perfect complement. Think mixed greens, a few cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of cucumber – minimal effort, maximum freshness.
• Avocado Salad: Sliced avocado, a squeeze of lime juice, and a sprinkle of cilantro can add healthy fats and a creamy texture that pairs wonderfully with the casserole.
• Honey Nut Peaches: For a unique combo side and dessert, try Honey Nut Peaches. The sweet and slightly nutty peaches offer a refreshing and unexpected palate cleanser after the savory main course.

Recipe

Beefy Bean Bake

5 from 1 vote

Classic Mexican flavor makes this layered beef and cheese casserole a flavorful dish that only needs a salad to make a complete meal.

AuthorAuthor: Mary Ann

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 8 servings

Calories 520

Ingredients

  

• 1 ½ lb. ground beef
• ½ small onion, chopped
• 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 16 oz. can diced tomatoes, zesty style
• 10 oz. can enchilada sauce
• 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon cumin
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 4 oz. can diced green chilies, drained
• 6 flour tortillas
• 6 oz. tortilla chips, crumbled
• 8 oz. Mexican blend cheese, shredded

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large skillet, cook ground beef and chopped onions over medium-high heat until the beef is thoroughly cooked through and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess fat.
• To the skillet with the beef and onions, add the diced tomatoes (including their juice), rinsed and drained black beans, enchilada sauce, chili powder, and cumin. Stir well to combine all ingredients and heat the mixture through, allowing the flavors to meld for about 5-7 minutes.
• Prepare your tortillas: on each of the six flour tortillas, spread approximately ⅙ of the softened cream cheese evenly, followed by ⅙ of the drained diced green chilies. Fold each flour tortilla in half.
• Assemble the casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the flavorful meat mixture evenly across the bottom. Arrange the folded tortillas in a single layer over the meat mixture. Then, spread the remaining meat mixture over the tortillas. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, carefully uncover the baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the crumbled tortilla chips over the top of the meat layer, followed by a generous layer of the shredded Mexican blend cheese. Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly and the tortilla chips are slightly golden.

Notes

If you have cooked ground beef and onions already prepared in the freezer, feel free to use them and skip the first step of browning the meat. If your freezer stock is depleted, this would be a great time to cook a larger batch of ground beef and onions to store for future quick meals.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 520 calCarbohydrates: 43 gProtein: 34 gFat: 24 gSodium: 1192 mgFiber: 7 gSugar: 7 gNet Carbohydrates: 36 g

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Tips for Casserole Perfection

• Don’t Overcook: Casseroles are best when cooked just until heated through and cheese is melted. Overcooking can dry out the beef mixture.
• Even Layers: Spreading the layers evenly ensures every bite is perfectly balanced with all the delicious components.
• Softened Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This makes it much easier to spread thinly and evenly on the tortillas.
• Crispy Topping: For extra crispy tortilla chips on top, you can broil the casserole for the last minute or two (watch carefully to prevent burning!).

Make It Your Own: Delightful Variations

This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to easily customize it to your taste or what you have on hand:

• Add More Veggies: Stir in a can of drained corn, some finely diced bell peppers, or even a handful of spinach into the beef mixture for added nutrients and color.
• Spice It Up (or Down): For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture, or use hot green chilies instead of mild. If you prefer it milder, reduce the chili powder and cumin slightly.
• Different Proteins: Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative to ground beef. For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with extra beans, lentils, or a plant-based ground meat substitute.
• Cheese Swap: Experiment with different cheeses like Pepper Jack for a spicy twist, Colby Jack, or a blend of your favorite Mexican melting cheeses.
• Homemade Enchilada Sauce: If you’re feeling ambitious, making your own enchilada sauce from scratch can add an extra layer of authentic flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

This Mexican Layered Beef & Bean Casserole is an excellent make-ahead meal, perfect for busy weeknights:

• Assemble Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole (up to the point of adding the tortilla chips and cheese) a day in advance. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add about 15-20 minutes to the covered baking time to ensure it heats through evenly, then proceed with the cheese and chip topping.
• Freezing Instructions: To freeze, assemble the casserole (without the tortilla chips and cheese), cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking, or bake from frozen (this will significantly increase baking time). Add the chips and cheese during the last 15 minutes of baking.
• Leftovers: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or larger portions in the oven until warmed through.

Embrace the Joy of Mexican Flavors at Home

There’s an undeniable warmth and comfort that comes with Mexican-inspired cuisine, and this Hearty Mexican Layered Beef & Bean Casserole truly embodies that spirit. It’s a dish that’s both hearty and satisfying, easy enough for a casual family dinner, yet special enough to share with guests. With its customizable nature and fantastic make-ahead potential, it’s bound to become a staple in your recipe collection. So, gather your ingredients, get ready to layer, and enjoy the rich, zesty flavors of this incredible bake!