Description
This Beef Taquito Enchilada Casserole is a flavorful, layered Mexican-inspired main course that combines seasoned ground beef, crispy tortilla strips, rich enchilada sauce, and melted cheeses for a comforting and easy dinner. Topped with fresh cilantro and optional black olives, it’s perfect served with sour cream and diced tomatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (10 ounces) red enchilada sauce
Casserole Layers
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into strips
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Garnish & Serving
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- Sour cream (for serving)
- Diced tomatoes (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for assembling the casserole.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Add the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce.
- Layer Casserole: Arrange half the tortilla strips in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the beef mixture evenly over the tortillas. Sprinkle half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses on top.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layers with the remaining tortilla strips, beef mixture, and cheeses for a double layer casserole.
- Add Sauce: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the top layer of cheese to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and ingredients to heat through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and sliced black olives if desired. Serve warm with sour cream and diced tomatoes for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra crunch, lightly toast the tortilla strips before layering.
- You can substitute shredded chicken or turkey for the ground beef for a variation.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
