Mexican White Trash Casserole

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This comforting Mexican-inspired casserole features crunchy tortilla chips layered with savory seasoned beef, creamy refried beans, and plenty of bubbly melted cheese. The hearty dish assembles easily and bakes quickly for a golden, flavorful finish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Enjoy a custom touch with your favorite toppings like rich sour cream, vibrant guacamole, juicy diced tomatoes, briny black olives, or fresh cilantro. Simple ingredients transform into a crowd-pleasing meal that pairs well with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables. Serve hot, straight from the oven.

This cheesy Mexican White Trash Casserole is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for weeknights or potlucks. Layers of crunchy tortilla chips, juicy seasoned beef, hearty beans, and golden bubbling cheese come together with a load of fresh toppings for a comforting dish that always disappears fast at my family table.

The first time I whipped this up was for a late-night craving with friends. We ended up scraping the pan clean and they still text me for the recipe months later.

Ingredients

Tortilla chips: Lightly crushed for the perfect mix of crisp and tender layers. Look for thick restaurant-style chips that hold up to baking
Ground beef or ground turkey: For savory protein. Choose lean meat for the best texture and less grease
Taco seasoning: Adds classic flavor. Check for a mix with rich spices and not too much salt
Salsa: Binds the meat and brings mild heat. Look for one with fresh tomato flavor and no added sugar
Refried beans: Create a creamy layer. Canned versions work great but go for low sodium if possible
Shredded Mexican blend cheese: For gooey melty richness. Freshly shredded cheese melts best and tastes the most vibrant
Optional toppings: Sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes, black olives, green onions and fresh cilantro bring freshness and color

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Baking Dish:: Lightly grease a 33 by 23 centimeter baking dish with cooking spray or a little butter. This stops the casserole from sticking and makes serving easy
Brown the Meat:: Cook ground beef or turkey in a large skillet set over medium heat. Break it up as it cooks. Let it brown deeply for six to eight minutes. When no pink remains drain off any extra fat to avoid a greasy casserole
Flavor the Meat:: Stir taco seasoning and salsa into the cooked meat. Let it all simmer together for about two to three minutes. This blends the flavors and keeps the mixture juicy
Build the First Layer:: Spread half of your crushed tortilla chips evenly in the bottom of the prepared dish. Try to cover the surface without making the layer too thick
Add Beans and Meat:: Carefully spoon all the refried beans over the chips and spread them smoothly to the edges. Scoop half of the seasoned meat over the beans and spread out evenly
Add Cheese:: Sprinkle one hundred grams of the shredded cheese across the meat layer. Try to spread it all the way to the corners so each portion has plenty of melty cheese
Repeat the Layers:: Add the rest of the crushed chips over the cheese. Spread out the remaining meat mixture on top of the chips. Finish with the rest of the shredded cheese
Bake Until Bubbly:: Place the dish in the oven and bake for twenty to twenty five minutes. The cheese should be bubbly and starting to turn golden at the edges. Let the casserole rest for five minutes so it sets up and is easy to serve
Finish and Serve:: Pile on your favorite toppings like sour cream guacamole tomatoes olives green onions or cilantro before serving. Scoop generous portions while it is hot and gooey

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