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.

A plate of cheesy taco casserole topped with chopped tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro, served on a green plate with a fork, next to a colorful, patterned napkin and fresh cilantro.
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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:

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.

A light blue rectangular dish filled with yellow corn tortilla chips, spread out in an even layer on a white surface.
A baking dish filled with tortilla chips topped with a creamy, chunky cheese sauce containing pieces of tomato.

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.

A rectangular baking dish filled with nachos topped with melted cheese and seasoned ground meat, viewed from above. The nachos are layered and lightly browned.
A casserole dish filled with nachos topped with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and diced red, green, and yellow bell peppers.

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.

A casserole dish filled with nachos, topped with ground meat, diced green and red bell peppers, and yellow corn kernels. The layers of chips and toppings are visible from above.
A light blue baking dish filled with a layered casserole topped with shredded cheese, corn, red bell peppers, and fresh cilantro leaves. The ingredients are colorful and evenly spread.

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:

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.

An infographic shows how to make a nacho dish using six different ingredients arranged around a central plate of nachos, with arrows pointing toward the finished dish in the middle.

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!

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A plate of cheesy taco casserole topped with melted cheese, ground meat, corn, chopped tomatoes, and fresh cilantro, served on a white plate with a fork, placed on a green plate with a patterned napkin nearby.
5 from 1 rating

Cheesy Mexican Casserole Recipe with Ground Beef

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Mexican Casserole Recipe is a cheesy, comforting dish that’s quick to make and crowd-pleasing. Made with seasoned ground beef, creamy enchilada sauce, corn, beans, and tortilla chips, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or group gatherings.

Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.

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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.
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 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.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 503kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 87mg, Sodium: 839mg, Potassium: 463mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 1256IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 295mg, Iron: 2mg
Cuisine: Mexican
Course: Main Dish
Author: Gina Dickson
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