Description
A quick and flavorful Mexican-inspired casserole with layers of seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn tortillas, and shredded colby jack cheese, all baked in rich red enchilada sauce for a hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Ground beef (85% lean) – 1 pound
- Onion – 1 medium, chopped
- Green chilies – 2 (3-ounce) cans, drained and chopped
- Cumin – 1 teaspoon
- Chili powder – 1 teaspoon
- Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon
- Kosher salt – 3/4 teaspoon
- Red enchilada sauce – 28-ounce can
- Corn tortillas – 12
- Canola oil – 1/4 cup
- Black beans – 1 (15-ounce) can, drained and rinsed
- Colby jack cheese – 1 pound, grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, breaking into small pieces, until no longer pink (about 5 minutes). Add onion and cook until softened (3–4 minutes). Stir in chopped green chilies.
- Add cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Cook 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir 3/4 of the enchilada sauce into the beef mixture and cook 2 more minutes. Reserve remaining sauce in a shallow bowl for dipping tortillas.
- Warm canola oil in a small skillet. Briefly fry each tortilla on both sides for 30 seconds, then drain on paper towels.
- Layer casserole: spoon 1/4 cup reserved sauce in bottom of dish. Dip tortillas in sauce, lay 4 tortillas, top with 1/3 beef mixture, half black beans, 1/3 cheese. Repeat layers with next 4 tortillas and remaining beef and beans. Finish with last 4 tortillas, remaining beef, leftover sauce, and remaining cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5 more minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Optional: garnish with green onions, sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped tomatoes, avocado, cilantro. Serve with slivered lettuce or Mexican rice.
Notes
- Using 85% lean beef balances flavor and fat without being greasy.
- Frying tortillas briefly makes them pliable and helps absorb sauce.
- Adjust salt if using table salt instead of kosher.
- Leftovers can be reheated in oven or microwave.
- Substitute cheeses like Monterey Jack or cheddar for variation.
- Add jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat.
- Use non-stick spray instead of oil for lighter version.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican