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Mexican casserole with rice and toppings, no tortillas.

Cheesy Mexican Casserole With Ground Beef

The ultimate Mexican casserole recipe with ground beef, this one delivers everything you want in a comfort food dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 10
Calories 560 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 batch batch homemade taco seasoning (recipe below)
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 10-oz can Rotel tomatoes drained slightly
  • 1 15-oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 15-oz can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn fresh, frozen, or canned drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups cooked rice any, the packets work too for a short cut.
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
  • 10 small corn tortillas optional to omit and no layering
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1 small can green chilies drained, optional

Optional Toppings

  • Avocado
  • Sour cream
  • Jalapeños
  • Green onion
  • Crushed tortilla strips
  • Fresh lime squeezed
  • Black olives

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add diced onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
  • Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
  • Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Stir in the homemade taco seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper.
  • Add Rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce, black beans, corn, and cooked rice.
  • Simmer mixture for 8–10 minutes so flavors combine and excess liquid cooks down slightly.
  • Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish.
  • Layer tortillas across the bottom of the baking dish. Spread a layer of the beef and rice mixture over tortillas.
  • Sprinkle a generous amount of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the top.
  • Repeat layers until ingredients are used, ending with cheese on top.
  • Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.
  • Broil for 1–2 minutes for a golden cheesy top if desired.
  • Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with cilantro and your favorite toppings before serving.

Notes

Homemade Taco Seasoning

(Equivalent to 2 Store-Bought Packets)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for smoky flavor)

Notes:

This homemade taco seasoning blend equals approximately 2 standard taco seasoning packets and gives the casserole a richer homemade Tex-Mex flavor without fillers or excess sodium.
 

Nutritional Information

Approximate Per Serving (10 servings)

  • Calories: 560
  • Protein: 34g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fat: 31g
  • Fiber: 7g
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 720mg

Recipe Notes

  • Rice makes this casserole even heartier and helps absorb flavor from the beef and Rotel mixture.
  • Freshly shredded cheese melts smoother and creates better texture.
  • You can substitute brown rice for added fiber.
  • For extra protein, add a thin layer of cottage cheese between layers.
  • This casserole freezes beautifully for meal prep and busy weeknights.
 
Keyword ground beef, mexican casserole