Delicious Mexican Casserole with Tortillas

This Mexican Casserole with Tortillas is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines layers of tortillas, seasoned ground beef, beans, vegetables, and cheese. It is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. The casserole is baked to perfection, with the tortillas becoming crispy and the cheese melting into a gooey and delicious topping. With a hint of spices and a burst of flavors, this casserole is sure to become a favorite in your household.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for spice)
• 10 small tortillas
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking spray

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
4. Stir in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend together.
5. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place a layer of tortillas on the bottom to cover the entire surface.
6. Spoon half of the ground beef and vegetable mixture over the tortillas, spreading it out evenly.
7. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the beef mixture.
8. Repeat the layers with the remaining tortillas, ground beef mixture, and cheese.
9. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
10. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
12. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve hot.

Interesting Facts