Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (10 oz) can red enchilada sauce
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- 10 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into halves
Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Garnishes/For Serving
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Sour cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure easy removal of the casserole after baking.
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until they are softened and fragrant. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Season and Add Sauce: Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the beef mixture, stirring to combine. Then pour in the enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and black beans if using. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread a thin layer of the beef mixture on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of tortilla halves over the beef, then add more beef mixture and a generous sprinkle of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Continue layering tortillas, beef, and cheese until all ingredients are used, finishing with cheese on top.
- Bake Until Golden: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with a dollop of sour cream as desired.
Notes
- Tortillas: Corn tortillas offer authentic flavor, while flour tortillas give a softer texture—choose based on your preference.
- Meat Options: You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or shredded chicken for a lighter variation.
- Spicy Kick: For more heat, add jalapeños or an extra pinch of chili powder to the beef mixture.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
- Creamy Variation: Stir in 1/2 cup sour cream into the beef mixture for extra creaminess.
- Green Chile Version: Swap for green enchilada sauce and add chopped green chilies for a tangier flavor.
- Tex-Mex Style: Add a layer of refried beans between tortillas for a heartier dish.
- Low-Carb Option: Use low-carb tortillas or swap layers for zucchini slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of casserole
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
