TACO CASSEROLE | Mexican Casserole

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: canned lentils

Ground turkey reduces fat while lentils are a budget-friendly protein.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Low-fat cheese cuts calories, while processed cheese is often less expensive.

salsa

🥗Healthier: fresh pico de gallo

💰Cheaper: canned tomato sauce

Pico de gallo is fresher and healthier, while canned sauce is budget-friendly.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Greek yogurt offers creaminess with fewer calories, while cream cheese is often cheaper.

Season the refried beans with salt in a bowl.

In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat and cook 1 pound of lean ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon until fully cooked, about 4 minutes.

Drain excess liquid from the beef.

Add more oil, 1 diced onion, and 2 diced bell peppers to the skillet, season with salt, and cook until veggies are slightly softened, about 4 minutes.

Add 2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder to the beef mixture and mix well.

Sprinkle 1.5 tablespoons of flour over the mixture and stir until no white powder is visible.

Add 2/3 cup water and 16 ounces of canned tomato sauce, mix, season with salt, bring to a boil, and let simmer over medium-low for about 5 minutes.

Lay 2 eight-inch flour tortillas on the bottom of a baking dish.

Spread half of the refried bean mixture evenly over the tortillas.

Spread half of the meat mixture over the beans.

Sprinkle 1 cup of Mexican cheese blend over the meat mixture.

Add 2 more flour tortillas on top.

Spread the remaining refried beans over the tortillas.

Pour and spread the remaining meat mixture over the beans.

Sprinkle another third of the Mexican cheese blend on top.

Top with the last 2 tortillas and the remaining cheese.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 25 minutes.

Let cool slightly before serving, optionally topping with fresh chopped cilantro and sour cream.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens