There’s no doubt that even the pickiest eaters will love this taco-inspired Mexican casserole with ground beef. It features flour tortillas covered in mouthwatering taco meat and all the other toppings that make tacos so tasty.
I like easy casserole recipes like this when I’m pressed for time. I can prep the Mexican ground beef casserole quickly to have dinner on the table stat on a busy weeknight. Even better, this six-serving recipe for hamburger Mexican casserole makes plenty of leftovers, so there’s something to eat when lunchtime rolls around the next day.
Mexican Casserole Ingredients
- Taco meat: The taco meat is made with ground beef, taco seasoning and water. We recommend 80 to 90% lean ground beef. For the taco seasoning, try one of our Test Kitchen’s recommended taco seasoning brands or raid your spice cabinet to create a homemade taco seasoning mix.
- Refried beans: Use a can of store-bought refried beans or make a batch of homemade refried beans.
- Salsa: Manage the heat level of the ground beef Mexican casserole with mild, medium or hot store-bought salsa.
- Flour tortillas: Keep a package of flour tortillas on hand. You never know when taco Tuesday will happen on a Saturday!
- Corn: Frozen corn kernels add flavor and texture to the Mexican ground beef casserole.
- Cheddar cheese: Use shredded cheddar cheese or a Mexican blend. Feel free to swap in other cheeses, like pepper jack or Monterey Jack.
- Toppings: Serve the hamburger Mexican casserole with a toppings bar that includes shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sliced olives and sour cream. Other options include sliced avocados, fresh chopped cilantro and pico de gallo.
Directions
Step 1: Brown the beef
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet, cook the beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain off the grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for five minutes.
Step 2: Make the bean and salsa filling
Meanwhile, combine the refried beans and salsa in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave for one to two minutes or until spreadable.
Step 3: Layer the casserole
Place three tortillas in a greased round 2-1/2-quart baking dish. Layer with half the beef, half the bean mixture, half the corn and half the cheese. Then repeat the layers, starting with the tortillas and ending with the cheese.
Step 4: Bake the casserole
Bake the casserole, uncovered, until the cheese is melted, 40 to 45 minutes. Let stand for five minutes. If desired, serve the Mexican casserole with lettuce, tomatoes, olives and sour cream.
Recipe Variations
- Go gluten-free: To make this Mexican ground beef casserole gluten-free, choose a gluten-free tortilla and taco seasoning. (Yes, gluten can sneak into taco seasoning!)
- Make it vegetarian: Replace the ground beef with two cans drained and rinsed black beans or a meat substitute to make a vegetarian Mexican casserole.
- Swap in another meat: If you’d rather not make Mexican casserole with ground beef, substitute ground chicken, turkey or pork. For extra spice, use chorizo sausage!
- Add more vegetables: You can pile all kinds of veggies into this hamburger Mexican casserole, including sauteed onion, bell peppers or mushrooms. For added spice, layer in a can of chopped green chiles, a chopped chipotle pepper or a chopped fresh jalapeno.
How to Store Mexican Casserole
Like other casserole recipes, you can store leftover ground beef Mexican casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How long does Mexican casserole last?
Leftover Mexican casserole with ground beef can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days.
Can you freeze Mexican casserole?
Yes! Mexican ground beef casserole is a great make-ahead freezer meal. You can freeze the casserole before or after baking. (If you plan to freeze without baking, you do not need to thaw the frozen corn.) To make it super easy on yourself, prepare the casserole in a foil tin or freezer-safe baking dish.
To freeze cooked hamburger Mexican casserole, first allow it to cool completely. Then wrap the dish tightly in a layer of storage wrap, followed by a double layer of foil. Label and freeze the casserole for up to three months. Follow the same storage instructions for an uncooked casserole.
How do you reheat Mexican casserole?
To reheat refrigerated ground beef Mexican casserole, cover the dish with foil and warm it in a 350° oven until heated through, 15 to 25 minutes. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
To reheat frozen Mexican ground beef casserole, first thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Then cover it with foil and reheat it in a 350° oven until heated through, 20 to 25 minutes. If you forget to thaw it overnight, no worries: You can cook Mexican casserole from frozen, but it will take 40 to 60 minutes.
Mexican Casserole Tips
Can you make Mexican casserole with corn tortillas?
You can use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas in this Mexican casserole with ground beef recipe.
What can you serve with Mexican casserole?
Set the table with Mexican side dishes, like cilantro-lime rice, Mexican street corn salad or pico de gallo. Don’t forget the pitcher of margaritas!
