If you are a foodie, then you have sensitive taste buds, but if you enjoy good and gourmet foods and delish, then you might have heard about the ever-famous yet easy Mexican casserole! This layered dish, which blends the comfort and vibrancy of South-of-the-border flavors, is a family favorite for any occasion. It’s layered with textures, savory ingredients, and an appeal that makes it ideal for not just busy weeknights when office meetings are running late, but also for festive gatherings like fam-bam dinners, or even Thanksgiving!
In this blog, discover the Mexican Casserole Recipe, its ingredients, nutritional facts, and more.
Overview: Mexican Casserole
| Prep Time | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Total Time | Approximately 1 hour |
| Servings | 5 |
| Yield | 4 to 6 servings |
What is the Chicken Mexican Casserole?
A Chicken Mexican casserole – or a vegetarian version- is a baked dish that features several layers of ingredients. The layers are commonly found in Mexican cuisine, like ground beef, chicken, or even vegetables. It also includes layers of beans, salsa or enchilada sauce, corn tortillas or chips, a generous amount of cheese, and additional vegetables like corn, tomatoes, and peppers.
A lot of the time, this has been compared to the Mexican dish, lasagna, especially since similarly to the latter dish, this is also baked in layers, with cheese, and is cooked until absolutely hot and bubbly. It is important to note that vegetarian or even vegan eaters prefer beans, corn, and peppers, and non-milk cream or cheese.
What makes the Mexican Casserole so special yet easy?
An easy Mexican Casserole stands out because of its layers – this is a Mexican specialty, and it blends the flavors of Mexican cuisine quite beautifully. All the ingredients are layered to produce a hearty meal that’s more about the entire wholesome dish rather than its parts. This one-dish wonder is easy to assemble, and it is absolutely easy to adapt, which makes it super easy to make, too. You could make it either with ground beef, shredded chicken, or just keep it good old vegetarian – all you have to do is just tweak the level of spices and vegetables as per your preference.
Essential Ingredients for Making Mexican Casserole
Here are the essential ingredients you require to make this recipe:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
| Vegetable or all-purpose cooking oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Chicken breast, cubed and skinless | ¾ pound |
| Taco seasoning mix | ½ package |
| Black beans, rinsed and drained | 1 can |
| Salsa sauce | ¼ cup |
| Sweet corn, drained and washed | 1 can |
| Water | As needed |
| Shredded Mexican cheese or normal cheese (Monterey Jack, cheddar, Mexican blend) | 1 cup |
| Crushed plain tortilla chips | 1 ½ cups |
| Fresh tomatoes | 1 cup |
| Sour cream | 1 cup |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
| Green onions, chopped cilantro, and black olives | For garnishing (optional) |
Mexican Casserole Recipe
Preheat the oven: Keep your oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 177 degrees Celsius.
Cook the chicken: Bring out a large skillet, and heat it over medium-high heat. Saute the chicken/beef in oil, and crumble the ground beef until it is brown and not pink, approximately 8-10 minutes. If using chicken, let the meat brown. If using vegetables, then you can sauté them instead of the chicken.
Prepare the Mixture: Add the taco seasoning and salsa – or enchilada sauce, if using – to the skillet. Stir in properly to combine the mixture with the meat, and let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes so the flavors blend. Add the drained beans and corn and cook until just heated through. Adjust the mix with salt and pepper to taste, or as needed.
Spread the layers: In the baking dish, spread a single layer of corn tortillas. If using tortilla chips, then you may do so over the base of the dish. Then, you spoon out half of the meat or vegetable mixture on top, but make sure to spread it evenly. Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese over the mixture, then add a dollop of half the sour cream.
Arrange the tortilla layers: Add another layer of tortillas or chips, then add the meat/vegetable mixture, more cheese, and the rest of the sour cream. If you want to add another layer, you may, but the last layer must include tortilla chips and any remaining cheese. You can finish this by scattering some tomatoes, olives, and green onions on the topmost layer, just before putting it in the oven.
Cover and bake it: Cover the dish with aluminium foil, and bake this for about 30 minutes. It might be helpful if you let it rest for an additional 10-15 minutes before the foil is removed or until the cheese is absolutely melted. Let this cool for 10 more minutes before you serve.
Serve the dish: Garnish with cilantro and any other toppings of your choice. You can serve this dish with some brown rice, a green salad, or some more tortilla chips with a dip.
Meal Suggestions and Serving Ideas
- The casserole dish complements beautifully with cilantro-lime rice, or even brown rice.
- It also works very well with a green salad and the traditional Mexican Guacamole sauce.
- Another complementary choice would be to use hot sauce, jalapenos, or extra salsa on the side. Overall, this is more than just an easy recipe – it’s a wholesome meal in a dish.
- You could also add sweet potatoes as a side dish.
Can a Mexican Casserole be frozen and made ahead?
A Mexican casserole recipe might be hearty and easy for some, but it certainly takes some time. For those who are used to cooking, this recipe might be easy, but for those who need it fast, especially for a big occasion, it might make sense to freeze the recipe and make it ahead. Here’s how:
- Assemble the casserole, and cover it tightly. Then refrigerate it unbaked for up to 24 hours before cooking
- You can freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. You have to thaw the meal overnight and then reheat it.
- You can keep the leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Facts
It is important to note that a typical Mexican casserole would contain approximately 300 to 400kcal, depending on the serving size and recipe. Here’s a detailed nutritional fact for a one-cup serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Protein | 18–22 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Saturated fat | 5–11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 33–37 g |
| Cholesterol | 58 mg |
| Sodium | 1286 mg |
| Calcium | 466 mg |
| Iron | 3 mg |
| Potassium | 700 mg |
Conclusion
The chicken Mexican casserole – or even the vegetarian version is a wholesome dish, and it brings family and friends together. Thanks to its flexibility, make-ahead convenience, and complementing side dishes, it may return to the food fads of the 21st century despite being a timeless recipe. This is the most flavorful Mexican dish, and is appropriate for busy weeknights, picky eaters, or even huge gatherings. All you have to do is make it – and enjoy it, for up to 4 days!
Disclaimer: This recipe is inspired by traditional techniques and with professional tips. The number of ingredients and methods may be adjusted according to your taste and preferences. Check for food allergies and adjust it. The author is not responsible for any inconvenience.