Mexican White Trash Casserole Recipe
A hearty and flavorful Mexican White Trash Casserole featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, refried beans, tortilla chips, and melted Mexican cheese, baked to bubbly perfection and topped with fresh garnishes like sour cream, guacamole, and cilantro.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Base Layers
- 1 bag (9-10 oz) tortilla chips, lightly crushed
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey for lighter option
- 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 oz)
- 1 cup salsa, your preferred heat level
Additional Layers
- 1 can (15 oz) refried beans
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
Toppings
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Diced fresh tomatoes
- Sliced black olives
- Chopped green onions
- Fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook the seasoned beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and salsa, then simmer for 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
- Layer the casserole – first layer: Spread half of the lightly crushed tortilla chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a crunchy base.
- Add creamy refried beans and beef: Spoon the refried beans over the chips and spread evenly. Then, layer half of the seasoned beef mixture on top, spreading it out.
- First cheese layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded Mexican cheese blend over the beef layer for binding and flavor.
- Build final layers: Add the remaining tortilla chips as the next layer, followed by the remaining beef mixture. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese, covering the surface entirely for a golden crust.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on the edges.
- Cool and garnish: Allow the casserole to cool for about 5 minutes. Add your favorite toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes, black olives, green onions, and fresh cilantro before serving to enjoy it warm and gooey.
Notes
- For a lighter option, use ground turkey instead of ground beef.
- Adjust the heat of the salsa according to your preference for spiciness.
- Make sure to drain excess grease from the cooked beef to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Let the casserole rest before serving to help it set for easier slicing.
- Fresh toppings add color and fresh flavor contrast; feel free to customize with your favorites.
Keywords: Mexican casserole, ground beef casserole, tortilla chip casserole, layered casserole, baked Mexican dish
