Description
A creamy, cheesy Tex-Mex comfort food classic this Mexican White Trash Casserole layers crushed tortilla chips, taco-seasoned beef, refried beans, and melted cheese into one irresistible bake. Perfect for easy Mexican casserole recipes and budget-friendly dinners for families.
Ingredients
→ Casserole Foundation
1 bag (9–10 oz) tortilla chips, lightly crushed
1 pound ground beef or turkey for lighter option
1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 oz)
1 cup salsa, your preferred heat level
1 can (15 oz) refried beans
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
→ Optional Toppings for Serving
Sour cream
Guacamole
Diced fresh tomatoes
Sliced black olives
Chopped green onions
Fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray or butter.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain, then stir in taco seasoning and salsa. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
3. Spread half the crushed tortilla chips on the bottom of the baking dish.
4. Layer the refried beans evenly over the chips, then add half of the beef mixture.
5. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over the top.
6. Add the remaining chips, beef mixture, and cheese as the final layer.
7. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden around the edges.
8. Let it cool for 5 minutes, top with sour cream, guacamole, green onions, and serve.
Notes
Stuffani’s Tip: To keep the chips crisp, bake covered for the first 15 minutes, then uncover for the last 10.
Stuffani’s Advice: Use fresh-grated cheese it melts smoother and gives your casserole that perfect creamy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Mexican White Trash Casserole, easy Mexican casserole recipes, budget-friendly dinners for families, creamy cheesy Mexican casserole bake, quick Tex-Mex dinner