Mexican Casserole Recipe

Tip: This flavorful Mexican casserole has approximately 400-500 calories per serving, depending on portion size. It's a great make-ahead meal for busy weeknights, and it’s perfect for serving a crowd. Top it with sour cream and salsa for an extra burst of flavor!

Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef

1 (15-oz) can Ranch Style beans

1 (10-12 oz) bag tortilla chips, crushed (use to preference)

1 (10-oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies, undrained

1 small onion, chopped

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning

1 (10.75-oz) can cream of chicken soup

½ cup water

Sour cream and salsa for serving

Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (175°C).

Cook the Meat Mixture:

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat.

Drain off any excess fat, then stir in the Ranch Style beans, Rotel tomatoes (undrained), chopped onion, taco seasoning, cream of chicken soup, and water.

Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until everything is well combined and heated through.

Assemble the Casserole:

Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Place a layer of crushed tortilla chips at the bottom of the dish, followed by a layer of the meat and bean mixture.

Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the meat mixture.

Repeat the layers with the remaining chips, meat mixture, and cheese.

Bake:

Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and heated through.

Broil:

Remove the foil and place the casserole under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese begins to brown.

Serve:

Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Top with sour cream and salsa to your liking.

Notes:
Saving Energy: This casserole bakes at a moderate temperature for 20-30 minutes. You can use a convection oven to speed up the cooking process and save energy.

Health Benefits: This casserole provides protein from the beef and beans, but it’s rich in calories from the cheese and chips. You can make it a bit lighter by using lean ground beef, low-fat cheese, or even baked tortilla chips for a healthier version. Enjoy in moderation!