Description
Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish combining seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and tomatoes layered with cheese and crunchy tortilla chips, baked to perfection. This comforting casserole is perfect for a family meal, offering a delicious blend of Tex-Mex flavors in an easy-to-make dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
Canned Goods
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
Seasonings and Toppings
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Brown Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Cook, breaking the meat apart with a spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to prevent greasiness.
- Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, kidney beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5-7 minutes to blend the flavors and heat through.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little oil or non-stick spray to prevent sticking. Spread the beef and bean mixture evenly in the bottom of the dish.
- Add Cheese Layers: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the beef and bean mixture, ensuring good coverage for a melty, cheesy top.
- Top with Tortilla Chips: Add a layer of crushed tortilla chips on top of the cheese to give the casserole a delightful crunchy topping after baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving to let it set and prevent burning your mouth.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For extra spice, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated; just increase baking time slightly if baking straight from the fridge.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
