Mexican Tortilla Casserole

Mexican tortilla casserole is a flavorful and hearty dish that combines layers of tortillas, seasoned ground beef or chicken, beans, cheese, and salsa. Here’s a simple recipe to make this delicious casserole:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef or ground chicken
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 packet (1.25 ounces) taco seasoning mix
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 10 corn tortillas
• 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot, depending on your preference)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or chicken over medium-high heat until it’s browned and cooked through. Break it up into crumbles as it cooks.
3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for a few minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
4. Stir in the black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes (with their juice), corn kernels, and taco seasoning mix. Simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
6. Place 5 of the corn tortillas in the bottom of the greased baking dish, overlapping them as needed to cover the bottom.
7. Spread half of the meat and bean mixture over the tortillas.
8. Next, spread half of the sour cream and cheese mixture over the meat mixture.
9. Repeat the layers with the remaining tortillas, meat and bean mixture, and sour cream and cheese mixture.
10. Spread the salsa evenly over the top layer.
11. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the casserole.
12. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
13. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
14. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
15. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.

Serve your Mexican tortilla casserole hot, and enjoy the delicious combination of flavors and textures. It’s a great dish for family dinners and potluck gatherings.