Easy Baked Burrito Casserole Recipe

Description: This Easy Baked Burrito Casserole is the ultimate combination of Mexican-inspired flavors and comfort food. It’s like a lasagna married a burrito, and the result is an irresistible dish your whole family will love! The savory layers of seasoned ground beef, refried beans, diced tomatoes, and gooey cheese are nestled between hearty corn tortillas, all baked to perfection. It’s a fun twist on your typical taco night and makes a hearty, satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 pack taco seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 (16 oz) can refried beans
• 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 6 large corn tortillas (you can substitute flour tortillas if you prefer)
• 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, divided

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Beef Mixture: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a medium-sized Dutch oven or large skillet, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion, garlic, and green bell pepper over medium-high heat until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add Seasonings & Beans: Stir in the taco seasoning, refried beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the mixture cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until everything is well combined and heated through.
3. Prepare the Soup Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup and sour cream.
4. Assemble the Casserole: Spread half of the soup mixture on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Arrange 3 corn tortillas on top of the soup mixture, overlapping as needed and cutting one tortilla to fill any gaps. Spread half of the meat mixture on top of the tortillas, then spoon the remaining soup mixture over the meat. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the soup mixture.
5. Layer Again & Bake: Repeat the layers with the remaining tortillas, meat mixture, and cheese. Finish with the remaining cheese on top.
6. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve: Let the casserole sit for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy it with your favorite toppings, like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole!

What to Serve with Burrito Casserole: This casserole is filling on its own, but pairing it with a fresh salad can help balance out the richness. Try a Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad or a Dorito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing for a satisfying meal.

Can You Freeze Burrito Casserole? Yes, you can freeze the casserole! After baking, allow it to cool completely. Cover it with two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of foil, and freeze for up to 4 months. Be sure to label it with the date. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes until heated through.

Cooking Tips:

• If you prefer flour tortillas, you can substitute them for corn tortillas in this recipe.
• Ensure the meat mixture is thick with minimal liquid to avoid a soggy casserole.
• For the best cheese melt, use freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese.

Nutrition (per serving, based on 6 servings):

• Calories: 548
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 30g
  • Saturated fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 883mg
• Cholesterol: 63mg