Description
This Beef Enchilada Casserole with Corn Tortillas is a flavorful, hearty baked dish perfect for family dinners. Layers of seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and rich enchilada sauce are combined with corn tortillas and topped with melted Mexican blend cheese, creating a savory and comforting Mexican-inspired casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8-10 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or cheddar cheese
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain the excess fat for a leaner casserole.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef in the skillet. Continue to sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Combine Filling: Stir in the black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce. Mix everything well and then remove the skillet from heat.
- Layer Base Sauce: Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Add Tortilla Layer: Arrange a layer of corn tortillas over the sauce, tearing them as needed to cover the dish uniformly.
- Assemble Layers: Spoon half of the beef mixture over the tortillas, then sprinkle with a layer of cheese. Add another layer of tortillas and spread half of the remaining enchilada sauce on top.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process, ending with the final layer of tortillas, the rest of the enchilada sauce, and topping with the remaining cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the dish to heat through.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving for a burst of fresh flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- Use whole wheat or flour tortillas if preferred, though corn tortillas keep it more traditional.
- To make it vegetarian, substitute the ground beef with extra beans or a plant-based meat alternative.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Use low-sodium enchilada sauce to reduce salt content if desired.
