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Mexican Quesadilla Casserole Recipe

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4.2 from 15 reviews

This easy and delicious Mexican Quesadilla Casserole is a perfect one-pan meal that layers savory ground beef, soft flour tortillas, black beans, sweet corn, diced tomatoes, bold spices, and melted Cheddar cheese. Baked to bubbly perfection, it combines classic Mexican flavors in a comforting, cheesy casserole suitable for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • Cooking spray
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with lime juice and cilantro (such as Rotel)
  • 1 (8.75 ounce) can whole kernel sweet corn, drained
  • 1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 6 flour tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook the beef and onion: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess grease from the skillet to keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
  3. Add and simmer the sauce mixture: Stir in the tomato sauce, black beans, diced tomatoes with lime and cilantro, corn, and chopped green chiles into the beef mixture. Season with chili powder, ground cumin, minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
  4. Build the casserole layers: Spread approximately half a cup of the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer three flour tortillas over the mixture, overlapping if necessary. Spread another half cup of the beef mixture evenly over the tortillas, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese. Repeat this layering process with the remaining tortillas, beef mixture, and cheese to create two layers total.
  5. Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the casserole is heated thoroughly—about 15 minutes.
  6. Finish and serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Cut into squares and enjoy this warm, hearty, and cheesy Mexican-inspired dish.

Notes

  • Use fresh cilantro on top as garnish if desired for extra freshness.
  • For a spicier casserole, increase the red pepper flakes or add diced jalapeños.
  • To make it lighter, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey.
  • Feel free to swap flour tortillas for corn tortillas for a gluten-free option, but note this changes the texture.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/mexican-quesadilla-casserole-recipe/