EASY BEEF & BEAN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE | LITO'S COCINA

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat while maintaining meltiness.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: plain yogurt

Greek yogurt provides creaminess with fewer calories.

black beans

🥗Healthier: pinto beans

💰Cheaper: canned kidney beans

Pinto beans are lower in calories and kidney beans are often cheaper.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner and ground pork is often less expensive.

Make enchilada sauce by melting 2 and 1/2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet.

Add flour to the melted butter to make a roux.

Stir in the enchilada sauce powdered mix and toast for about a minute.

Add 2 cups of water to the mixture and let it thicken for 10 to 15 minutes, then set aside.

In a Dutch oven or large skillet, add 1 lb of ground beef and 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion; cook until browned.

Add 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning mix and 1/4 cup of water to the beef mixture; simmer for a couple of minutes.

Stir in 1 can of diced fire roasted tomatoes, 1 cup of frozen corn kernels, and 1 can of rinsed and drained black beans; mix well and let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.

Spread a thin layer of the reserved enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.

Spread a layer of warmed refried beans over the tortillas in the dish.

Layer tortillas in the pan, then add half of the meat and bean mixture on top.

Sprinkle 3 cups of shredded cheese (half cheddar, half Monterey Jack) over the meat mixture.

Add another layer of tortillas, then spread the remaining refried beans, followed by the rest of the meat mixture and the remaining cheese on top.

Optionally, add sliced olives on top of the cheese.

Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes until heated through and golden brown on top.

Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Garnish with sour cream, cilantro, and green onion.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: