If you love vibrant flavors, heartwarming comfort food, and easy prep all rolled into one, this Easy Mexican Casserole is going to be a knock-out hit in your kitchen. Imagine layers of saucy taco-seasoned meat, gooey cheese, bright veggies, and soft tortillas, all baked together until irresistibly bubbly—this dish feels like the best weeknight fiesta! Packed with simple ingredients, it’s satisfying, family-friendly, and customizable for whatever your tastebuds crave. The best part? It slides effortlessly onto the table in under an hour. Gather around, because this Easy Mexican Casserole is about to become your new go-to for something quick, cheesy, and downright delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Easy Mexican Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of my favorite things about Easy Mexican Casserole is just how straightforward the ingredient list is—each one brings its own pop of flavor, texture, or color. From the zesty taco seasoning to melty cheese and hearty beans, everything comes together to create pure weeknight magic.

Olive oil: Adds a touch of richness and helps brown the meat beautifully.
Ground beef or turkey: Your protein base; turkey makes it a bit lighter, but beef gives that classic taco flavor.
Onion: Sweet and savory, it deepens the overall flavor with every bite.
Taco seasoning: This is what brings the fiesta! Use your favorite packet or try homemade for a unique twist.
Black beans: They add heft, earthy taste, and extra protein to your layers.
Corn kernels: Pops of sweetness and color that work so well with the savory filling.
Diced tomatoes with green chilies: A touch of freshness and just the right amount of heat.
Salsa: Moistens every layer and infuses the casserole with tangy, spicy notes.
Flour or corn tortillas: Essential for that classic texture; try corn for a traditional punch, flour for a softer feel.
Mexican blend cheese: Melty, gooey goodness that ties every bite together—don’t skimp!
Black olives (optional): For briny depth and a little extra color contrast on top.
Fresh cilantro: The ultimate finishing touch, adding herbal freshness and a pop of green.

How to Make Easy Mexican Casserole

Step 1: Sauté Meat and Onion

Let’s start with the base—heat olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Toss in your ground beef or turkey and onion, cooking until the meat is beautifully browned and the onion turns soft and translucent. As the aromas fill your kitchen, keep stirring to break up the meat, ensuring lots of flavor in every bite. Once perfectly cooked, drain off any extra fat, so your casserole isn’t greasy.

Step 2: Add Flavor and Fillings

Sprinkle in that trusty taco seasoning, then add the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and salsa. Stir it all up, letting the mixture bubble gently for a few minutes. This is where the magic happens: all those flavors blend and create the saucy, bold filling that makes Easy Mexican Casserole so crave-worthy.

Step 3: Layer the Casserole

Grab your lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread a thin layer of the meat mixture on the bottom—this keeps the tortillas moist and full of flavor. Place a layer of halved tortillas over the filling, then add more meat mixture and a generous sprinkle of cheese. Keep layering until you’ve used everything up, finishing with a glorious layer of cheese on top. If you love olives, scatter them across the surface for extra pop.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Cover the whole dish with foil to keep it moist and bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, then bake another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing—this makes those layered squares much easier to serve and enjoy.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle on that fresh cilantro right before serving. This final touch is a flavor-bright finisher and adds a beautiful pop of green to your Easy Mexican Casserole. If you want to amp up the fiesta, serve with sour cream, guacamole, or a little extra salsa on the side.

How to Serve Easy Mexican Casserole

Garnishes

Top your Easy Mexican Casserole with fresh cilantro, a scoop of creamy guacamole, or a dollop of cool sour cream for a punch of color and freshness. Sliced jalapeños, chopped green onions, or extra black olives are also fun additions to load on just before serving—everyone can customize their own slice!

Side Dishes

Pair your casserole with simple refried beans, a zesty tossed salad, or classic Mexican rice. Want even more crunch and color? Tortilla chips or a fresh corn salad on the side make for a perfect balance and round out any weeknight meal effortlessly.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut the casserole into tidy squares for easy serving at potlucks or parties, or layer bite-sized pieces into lettuce cups for a lighter, hand-held twist. You can even tuck slices into warm tortillas with extra salsa for delectable casserole tacos—this Easy Mexican Casserole readily adapts to your table and your imagination.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, simply cover the baking dish tightly or transfer portions to an airtight container. The Easy Mexican Casserole will keep in the fridge for up to four days, making it perfect for easy lunches or lazy weeknight dinners.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then wrap it well or use a freezer-safe container. It’ll stay fresh for up to three months. To save time, freeze individual slices for grab-and-go portions—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes. For quick lunches, microwave slices on a plate until warmed through. Add fresh garnishes after reheating for the best taste and texture.

FAQs

Can I make Easy Mexican Casserole vegetarian?

Absolutely! Just swap the ground meat for extra beans, lentils, or a plant-based crumble. You’ll still enjoy tons of flavor, hearty texture, and all those irresistible layers.

What’s the best way to prevent soggy tortillas?

Spread only a thin layer of sauce beneath your first tortilla layer, and make sure to bake uncovered for the last 10 minutes—this helps everything set up and keeps the tortillas deliciously soft but not soggy.

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of ground meat?

Definitely! Shredded rotisserie chicken is a big time-saver and adds a slightly different but equally fabulous flavor profile. Just stir it in with the beans, corn, and other fillings.

How spicy is Easy Mexican Casserole, and can I adjust the heat?

The base recipe has a mild-to-medium heat thanks to the salsa and diced green chilies, but you can make it hotter by adding chopped jalapeños, hot sauce, or choosing a spicier salsa. Prefer mild? Use a mild salsa and leave out extra peppers.

What are the best toppings for Easy Mexican Casserole?

Brighten up each serving with fresh cilantro, diced avocado, lime wedges, sour cream, or crunchy tortilla strips. Toppings add extra flavor and let everyone customize their slice just the way they like.

Final Thoughts

Once you try this Easy Mexican Casserole, don’t be surprised if it makes a regular appearance on your dinner table. It’s cozy, flavor-packed, so simple to make, and always brings smiles to everyone around—so gather your ingredients and get ready for a delicious, fuss-free fiesta!

Easy Mexican Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Easy Mexican Casserole is a flavorful and comforting dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Layers of seasoned ground beef or turkey, beans, corn, and cheese are baked between tortillas for a delicious meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

For the casserole:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
1 small onion, chopped
1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) corn kernels, drained
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 cup salsa
8 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into halves
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
Fresh cilantro for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare the filling: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion, cook until browned and onion is softened. Drain excess fat.
Mix in the ingredients: Stir in taco seasoning, black beans, corn, tomatoes with green chilies, and salsa. Cook until heated through.
Assemble the casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer meat mixture, tortillas, and cheese, repeating until all ingredients are used. Top with cheese and olives if desired.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

Serve with sour cream, guacamole, or extra salsa.
You can use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of ground beef for a quick variation.
For a spicier dish, add chopped jalapeños or extra hot sauce.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-American