Nothing says comfort food quite like a Mexican Casserole Recipe hot from the oven. This dish is the ultimate combination of creamy, cheesy, and flavorful layers that come together quickly with simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or prepping a crowd-pleasing meal for a casual get-together, this casserole delivers. It’s hearty, satisfying, and easy to customize with your favorite toppings or protein options.
Why You’ll Want To Make This Mexican Casserole Recipe
This is going to be your new go-to for easy hosting:
- Easy to Prepare: Simple layering and minimal prep work.
- Great for Entertaining: Feeds a crowd and looks festive. If you’re looking for more themed entertaining ideas, check out these 50 Mexican Party Theme Ideas and Recipes for inspiration!
- Flavor-Packed: Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses pantry staples and stretchable ingredients.
- Customizable: Easily adapt to your favorite toppings or dietary needs.
Before You Get Started
Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature for easier and perfect mixing.
Chop all vegetables and measure your ingredients before you begin layering.
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
Common Mistakes & Fixes:
Avoid soggy chips: Use thicker tortilla chips or even Nacho-flavored Doritos to hold up better.
Don’t overbake: 20 minutes is just right to melt the cheese and heat everything through.
Ingredients You Will Need
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Ground beef: Look for 85–90% lean beef for balanced flavor and moisture. Can be swapped with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for dietary preferences.
- Taco seasoning: Use your favorite store-bought blend or make a Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix for better control of sodium and spice levels.
- Cream cheese: Softening helps it blend smoothly into the sauce. Full-fat works best for creaminess, but Neufchâtel cheese is a good lighter alternative.
- Green enchilada sauce: Opt for a high-quality brand with clean ingredients for the best flavor. Go with mild or medium, depending on your preferred spice level. You can substitute red enchilada sauce for a deeper, more robust flavor profile if you prefer.
- Salsa: Use chunky salsa for texture or restaurant-style for a smoother consistency. Mild to hot, depending on who you’re serving. A good pick? This Mexican Restaurant Style Salsa is full of flavor and easy to make!
- Bell peppers: Use a mix of colors for visual appeal. Red and yellow peppers are sweeter; green is more earthy.
- Pinto beans and corn: Rinse canned beans and corn to reduce sodium. Black beans can be swapped in for a richer flavor. Thawed frozen corn also works well.
- Cheeses: I use a Mexican blend which usually includes Monterey Jack, cheddar, Asadero, and queso quesadilla cheeses for a rich, melty texture. If it is not available, sharp cheddar works well on its own.
- Tortilla chips or Nacho-flavored Doritos: Use sturdy, thick tortilla chips so they don’t become soggy during baking. Restaurant-style or cantina-style work well. If you like extra flavor, Nacho-flavored chips add a cheesy kick.
How to Make Mexican Casserole Recipe
This step-by-step guide will help you make this simple dish:
Prep Meat and Sauce & Start Layering
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the meat is browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease, then stir in 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Set aside.
In a large bowl, stir the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, green enchilada sauce, and salsa. Mix until fully combined and creamy.
Spread half of the chips on the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon half of the creamy enchilada sauce over the chips.
Repeat Layering
Layer with half of the cooked beef, then half of the chopped peppers, corn, pinto beans (if using), and shredded cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining chips, creamy sauce, beef, vegetables, and cheese.
Bake
Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish (optional): Sprinkle with chopped cilantro or add your favorite toppings like sliced jalapeños, sour cream, or diced tomatoes before serving.
Gina’s Recipe Tips and Variation Ideas
Recipe Tips:
- Use leftover taco meat to cut down on prep time.
- Add sliced olives or green onions for extra flavor.
- Let the casserole rest 5 minutes after baking before serving for cleaner slices.
Recipe Variations:
- Alternate Protein: Try taco chicken meat , Easy Prep Chicken With Salsa (Slow Cooker) or ground turkey tossed with a bit of Homemade Mexican Seasoning Mix for quick, bold flavor.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the meat and double the beans and veggies.
- Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free tortilla chips.
- Spicy Kick: Add sliced jalapeños or hot salsa for extra heat.
- Slow Cooker: Layer all ingredients in a slow cooker and heat on low for 3–4 hours.
Topping Ideas
These toppings add texture, freshness, or extra heat. Feel free to mix and match based on your guests’ preferences:
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: For a cool, creamy contrast.
- Sliced black olives: For a salty, briny flavor boost.
- Chopped green onions: Adds a mild crunch and onion flavor.
- Roasted jalapeños or hot sauce: Kick up the spice level.
- Shredded lettuce: Great for a taco-style twist.
- Crumbled queso fresco or cotija: Extra cheesiness with a salty finish.
- Avocado slices or guacamole: Creamy richness that cools the spice.
- Diced tomatoes or pico de gallo or Salsa Fresca.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the whole dish in the oven at 300°F until heated through.
Make-Ahead: Assemble fully, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Biblical Hospitality Reflection
“Biblical hospitality challenges us to see our neighbors not as those who are convenient to love but as anyone God places in our path.” — Intentional Hospitality
Hebrews 13:2 encourages us, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Meals like this casserole may seem simple, but they open the door to something greater: connection, care, and spiritual encouragement. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, your home becomes a ministry when you offer warmth and welcome.
Hosting Tip: Serve this dish with a fresh salad like this Mexican Coleslaw Salad and a simple dessert. Light a few candles and let conversation flow. These Tips For Hosting A Dinner Party: What Are Good Conversation Starters? can help spark meaningful moments around your table.
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
Cheesy Mexican Casserole Recipe with Ground Beef
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
You can add any recipe from Intentional Hospitality to your shopping list to plan a full menu!
Ingredients
- Cooking spray, for greasing the baking dish
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, divided
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 10 ounces green enchilada sauce, canned
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups tortilla chips or Nacho-flavored Doritos, divided
- ½ cup bell peppers, chopped, any color, divided
- 2 cups corn, canned, drained, divided
- 1 cup pinto beans, rinsed and drained, optional, divided
- 3 cups Mexican blend or cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.Cooking spray
Cook the Beef Mixture
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the meat is browned and fully cooked.1 pound ground beef, ½ cup onion
- Drain excess grease, then stir in 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Set aside.2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Make the Creamy Sauce
- In a large bowl, stir the softened cream cheese until smooth.8 ounces cream cheese
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, green enchilada sauce, and salsa. Mix until fully combined and creamy.10 ounces green enchilada sauce, 1 cup salsa
Start Layering
- Spread half of the chips on the bottom of the baking dish.2 cups tortilla chips or Nacho-flavored Doritos
- Spoon half of the creamy enchilada sauce over the chips.
- Layer with half of the cooked beef, then half of the chopped peppers, corn, pinto beans (if using), and shredded cheese.½ cup bell peppers, 2 cups corn, 1 cup pinto beans, 3 cups Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
- Repeat the layers with the remaining chips, creamy sauce, beef, vegetables, and cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish (optional)
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro or add your favorite toppings like sliced jalapeños, sour cream, or diced tomatoes before serving.½ cup fresh cilantro
Notes
- Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature for easier and perfect mixing.
- Chop all vegetables and measure your ingredients before you begin layering.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- Use leftover taco meat to cut down on prep time.
- Add sliced olives or green onions for extra flavor.
- Let the casserole rest 5 minutes after baking before serving for cleaner slices.
- Alternate Protein: Try shredded chicken or ground turkey tossed with a bit of Homemade Mexican Seasoning Mix for quick, bold flavor.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the meat and double the beans and veggies.
- Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free tortilla chips.
- Spicy Kick: Add sliced jalapeños or hot salsa for extra heat.
- Slow Cooker: Layer all ingredients in a slow cooker and heat on low for 3–4 hours.
