Enchilada Casserole
Yield: 6-8 servings
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Tips: May be garnished with dollops of sour cream, avocado slices and/or ripe black olives on toothpicks stuck into servings, if desired.
Suggestion: Delicious served with a salad side.
This easy Mexican casserole recipe is perfect for those wanting a dinner that tastes delicious yet takes very little time to prepare. Enchilada Casserole features layers of a
simmered ground beef sauce, corn tortillas and plenty of cheddar cheese, . that turn bubbly and golden brown on top after just 20-25 minutes in the oven. The easy sauce consists of lean ground beef that is cooked with chopped onions, then combined with diced green chiles, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce and a package of taco seasoning (or you can make your own taco seasoning instead of using the packaged kind if you prefer - recipe follows). The sauce simmers for 10-15 minutes, then is used along with the corn tortillas and cheddar cheese to create the delicious layers of the casserole. This casserole dish is truly a cinch to put together, and is terrific for all ages. Dollops of sour cream, avocado slices and/or ripe black olives pierced with toothpicks and poked into the centers of each serving make perfect garnishes for this festive and easy dish.
Recipe▼
Ingredients
- 12 corn tortillas
- 1 lb. cheddar cheese, grated
- Taco Seasoning (or use 1 1-oz package of taco seasoning instead)
- 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes (or 1 teaspoon onion powder)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano (ground or dried)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Sauce
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 (1-lb.) can tomatoes
- 1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 4-oz. can chopped green chiles
- 1 1-oz. package taco seasoning (or make your own
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Mix taco seasoning ingredients in a small mixing bowl and set aside near stove.
Combine ground beef and onion in skillet. Cook until meat is lightly browned and onions are tender, stirring constantly to break up meat into a crumbly texture. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, chiles and taco seasoning mix. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes.
Barely cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch (or similar size) casserole dish with a thin layer of meat sauce (to prevent tortillas from sticking to bottom of baking dish). Evenly arrange 4 tortillas over the sauce. Top tortillas with 1/3 of the remaining sauce, then 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat layering process 2 more times, using 4 tortillas for each layer and ending with cheese on top.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is hot and bubbly and just beginning to brown on top in some spots. Serve in desired portions. If desired, garnish with dollops of sour cream, avocado slices and/or 1 or 2 ripe black olives on toothpicks stuck into each serving.
Mix taco seasoning ingredients in a small mixing bowl and set aside near stove.
Combine ground beef and onion in skillet. Cook until meat is lightly browned and onions are tender, stirring constantly to break up meat into a crumbly texture. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, chiles and taco seasoning mix. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes.
Barely cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch (or similar size) casserole dish with a thin layer of meat sauce (to prevent tortillas from sticking to bottom of baking dish). Evenly arrange 4 tortillas over the sauce. Top tortillas with 1/3 of the remaining sauce, then 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat layering process 2 more times, using 4 tortillas for each layer and ending with cheese on top.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is hot and bubbly and just beginning to brown on top in some spots. Serve in desired portions. If desired, garnish with dollops of sour cream, avocado slices and/or 1 or 2 ripe black olives on toothpicks stuck into each serving.
