45 Southwest Casseroles to Kick Mealtime Up a Notch

Southwestern Turkey Bake

I make this turkey bake as a way to get my husband and nieces to eat their vegetables. It's also perfect if you're wondering what to do with leftover turkey. This creamy entree will fill you up fast. —Crystal Kolady, Henrietta, New York

Easy Chiles Rellenos Casserole

I love green chiles and cook with them often when I entertain. This easy version of the classic Mexican dish gives you a big pepper taste in every meaty bite. —Nadine Estes, Alto, New Mexico

Taco Cornbread Casserole

A whole can of chiles adds fire to this casserole. For less heat, you can use just enough of the can for your taste. —Lisa A. Paul, Terre Haute, Indiana

Pork and Green Chile Casserole

I work at a local hospital and another job part time, so I'm always on the lookout for good, quick recipes to fix for my family. Some of my co-workers and I exchange recipes. This zippy casserole is one that was brought to a picnic at my house. People raved over it. —Dianne Esposite, New Middletown, Ohio

Mexican Breakfast Casserole

Tomatoes and green chiles give color and zip to this extra cheesy egg bake. It’s a favorite for breakfast or brunch, but it can be enjoyed for lunch or supper, too. —Mary Steiner, West Bend, Wisconsin

Cheesy Chile Casserole

A short list of ingredients packs full flavor in this easy-to-assemble casserole. Serve it as the star of your next meal. —Phyllis Bidwell, Las Vegas, Nevada

Baked Beef Tacos

Upgrade your usual Tuesday night taco with this clever (and tasty!) oven baked tacos recipe.

Southwestern Casserole

I’ve been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole for years. It tastes wonderful and fits nicely into our budget. Best of all, the recipe makes a second casserole to freeze and enjoy later. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Chicken Chiles Rellenos Casserole

My husband likes Mexican food and casseroles, so I combined the two. This chicken with poblanos and chiles satisfies our craving for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. —Erica Ingram, Lakewood, Ohio

Chili Cornbread Casserole

This hearty chili cornbread casserole combines savory beef chili and cheesy cornbread. Serve it with a dollop of sour cream and fresh salsa for a fun family dinner.

Cheesy Fiesta Beef Casserole

Over the years I’ve tweaked this recipe to end up with a delicious, quick weeknight meal. Feel free to spice it up with jalapenos if you prefer a little heat. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Southwestern Breakfast Slow-Cooker Casserole

I created this recipe for a breakfast-for-dinner meal one day, and now it’s become a favorite on chilly mornings. Such a wonderful aroma! Using extra-sharp cheddar cheese instead of the milder types allows you to use less, while giving you an extra boost of flavor. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole

This is a rich and surprisingly tasty rendition of a number of Tex-Mex dishes molded into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in hardly any time! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio

Southwest Vegetarian Bake

This veggie-packed casserole hits the spot on chilly nights. It's a healthy canned vegetable recipe that's perfect any time I have a taste for Mexican food with all the fixings. —Patricia Gale, Monticello, Illinois

Tex-Mex Cheese Strata

Tortilla chips add a little fun to this south-of-the-border brunch. For a spicier taste, substitute pepper Jack for the Monterey Jack cheese. —Vickie Lowrey, Fallon, Nevada

Creamy Green Chile Chicken Cobbler

Biscuity crumbs take this family-friendly combo of rotisserie chicken and cheesy, creamy green enchilada sauce over the top. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Sweet Potato Enchilada Stack

These sweet potato stacks have a spicy kick the whole family will love. Mexican flavors abound in this awesome enchilada stack jampacked with black beans and sweet potato. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cobre Valley Casserole

We live in southeastern Arizona, in a part of the state known as the Cobre Valley. Cobre is Spanish for copper, which is mined here. People in this area have enjoyed variations of this recipe for many years. —Carolyn Deming, Miami, Arizona

Chiles Rellenos Quiche

To me, nothing sparks up a meal more than the smoky flavor of roasted green chiles. This is a quick and easy recipe, and I usually have the ingredients on hand, so when I don’t know what to fix for dinner, I make this quiche. —Linda Miritello, Mesa, Arizona

Taco Noodle Dish

I got creative while we were housebound during a snowstorm one winter...and used ingredients I had on hand to come up with this hearty casserole. Later, I modified it so it has less fat and fewer calories. —Judy Munger, Warren, Minnesota

Beef 'n' Biscuit Bake

This recipe is quick, easy and satisfying. With its beef and corn combo, it's cozy cuisine at its best! —Erin Schneider, St. Peters, Missouri

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Mother frequently made this comforting chicken tortilla casserole when I was growing up. Our family would scrape the pan clean. Chicken, cheese and zippy green chiles are a mouthwatering mix. —Jerri Moror, Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Chicken Taco Quiche

I wanted to make a quiche but didn't want the usual flavors, so I used ingredients I had in my pantry and refrigerator to come up with this recipe. I was surprised at the great taste and how well the flavors came together. My neighbor asked for the recipe and had the same success! —Tamie Bradford, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota

Spicy Nacho Bake

I made this hearty, layered southwestern casserole for a dinner meeting once, and now I'm asked to bring it every time we have a potluck. Everybody loves the beefy bean filling and crunchy, cheesy topping. —Anita Wilson, Mansfield, Ohio

Green Chile Chicken Casserole

This casserole makes good use of leftover meat and is very filling. —Lois Keel, Alburquerque, New Mexico

Breakfast Burrito Casserole

A friend gave me this burrito casserole recipe and I modified it to fit our family. It's perfect for a brunch, because you can prep it the night before and bake it the next morning. —Krista Yoder, Due West, South Carolina

Green Chile Quiche Squares

Chilies add spark to this cheesy quiche. You can vary the flavor based on the kind of croutons you buy. I like to serve fresh fruit on the side. —Connie Willson, Huntington Beach, California

Chile Tamale Pie

This is a crowd-pleasing potluck dish that’s easy to prepare. A little heat, a little sweet, and big time authentic southwestern flavor. There is no substitute for fresh ground chili. A small food processor on high speed may be used to grind chilies and cumin, or use a dedicated coffee grinder for fresh spices (a great $15 investment for fresh spices anytime—your palate will thank you)! —Ralph Stamm, Dayton, Ohio

Sausage Tortilla Breakfast Bake

This casserole combines spices of the Southwest with the comfort of a hearty breakfast that is perfect for brunch. You can spice it up by adding cayenne and hot peppers, or mellow it out by replacing the tomatoes and green chiles with mild salsa. It’s versatile and easy—no wonder it’s a longtime family favorite. —Darlene Buerger, Peoria, Arizona

Chicken and Olive Mole Casserole

My southwestern chicken casserole makes the perfect party dish when you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary. The mole sauce lends an authentic flavor, and folks are always pleasantly surprised to taste a little sweetness from the chocolate. —Barbara White, Livingston, Texas

Fiesta Breakfast Bake

I get a kick out of making breakfast for a crowd when I have weekend guests, and my family also loves breakfast for dinner. I created this dish by combining my family’s favorite southwest flavors in an all-in-one-pan recipe. —Whitney Gilbert, Smithville, Missouri

Spicy Enchilada Casserole

This zippy Mexican casserole is a real winner at our house. It’s so flavorful and filling, we usually just accompany it with rice and black beans. If your family has spicier tastes, increase the chili powder and use a medium or hot salsa. —Julie Huffman, New Lebanon, Ohio

Green Chile Egg Puff

Green chilies add a touch of Southwest flavor to this fluffy egg dish. The cottage cheese offers nice texture, and people always love the gooey Montery Jack cheese melted throughout. —Laurel Leslie, Sonora, California

Southwest Sausage Bake

This layered tortilla dish is not only delicious, but it’s a real time-saver because it’s put together the night before. The tomato slices provide a nice touch of color. I like to serve this crowd-pleasing casserole with muffins and fresh fruit. —Barbara Waddel, Lincoln, Nebraska

Fiesta Cornbread & Sausage Strata

I like to break away from traditional breakfast bakes, so I experimented and came up with this sweet-savory cornbread and sausage egg bake. It’s easy to prepare and a wonderful make-ahead morning meal. —Ellen Woodham-Johnson, Matteson, Illinois

Chiles Rellenos Breakfast Bake

My family loves anything with a Southwestern flavor, so I turned classic chiles rellenos into a breakfast casserole. They became fans in an instant. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Chicken Tamale Casserole

Everyone will love the layers of flavor in this chicken tamale casserole: a tender cornbread base, chicken bathed in enchilada sauce and a topping of gooey cheese, all combined into one comforting dish.

Fold-Over Tortilla Bake

Here’s something a little different to shake up taco night. But don’t reserve this zippy dish for a weeknight—it’s perfect for potlucks and serving company, too. something a little different from the usual tacos. It's special enough for potlucks or dinner guests. —Deborah Smith, DeWitt, Nebraska

Tex-Mex Summer Squash Casserole

Mild-flavored yellow squash gets a big boost from flavor-packed chiles, jalapenos and red onion. This side dish also works with zucchini. —Tommy Lombardo, Euclid, Ohio

Chili Mac Casserole

This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota

Grandma's Rice Dish

My grandmother often made this casserole when I was young. I forgot about it until one day I found myself adding the same ingredients to leftover rice. The memories came flooding back. —Lorna Moore, Glendora, California

Spicy Egg Bake

This family favorite dish makes a wonderful morning meal served with muffins and fresh fruit. It’s also a great way to use up extra taco meat. Adjust the heat by choosing a hot or mild salsa. —Michelle Jibben, Gilbert, Arizona

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken enchilada casserole is melty, cheesy comfort in a pan. Made with rotisserie chicken and store-bought sauce, it's a weeknight dinner that you can pull together quickly without a lot of heavy lifting.

Sassy Southwest Stuffed Shells

When I was a child, my mom made this dish quite often. When I came across her recipe on an index card, I quickly copied it. Over the years, I have made very few changes to retain that taste-of-home memory. —Kellie Braddell, West Point, California

Burrito Bake

This burrito casserole recipe is bound to make everyone happy. Satisfy your weeknight dinner cravings with our delectable Burrito Casserole, a dish that's not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with mouthwatering flavors.