Imagine a mouthwatering Mexican dish that practically cooks itself while you relax - this Easy Slow Cooker Mexican Casserole is about to become your new dinner superhero! Packed with savory ground beef, hearty beans, and gooey melted cheese, this recipe is so simple yet so delicious that it'll have your family begging for seconds. Whether you're a busy parent, a cooking novice, or just someone who loves incredible flavor without spending hours in the kitchen, this casserole is your ultimate meal-time solution!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 6 tortillas, cut into strips
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 pound of ground beef, 1 can of black beans (drained), 1 can of corn (drained), 1 cup of salsa, 2 cups of shredded cheese, and 6 tortillas (cut into strips).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook the beef until it is browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the ground beef is cooked, drain any excess grease from the skillet. This will help reduce the fat content of your casserole.
- In the slow cooker, combine the cooked ground beef, drained black beans, drained corn, and salsa. Stir the mixture well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Next, layer half of the cut tortilla strips on top of the beef and bean mixture in the slow cooker. This will create a delicious layer within the casserole.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the tortilla strips. This will add a rich, cheesy flavor to the dish.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining tortilla strips and the rest of the beef and bean mixture. Finally, top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 4 hours. This slow cooking will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- After 4 hours, carefully remove the lid and check the casserole. The cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the tortillas should be soft.
- Once done, serve the Easy Slow Cooker Mexican Casserole hot, garnished with optional toppings such as sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños if desired. Enjoy your meal!
Tips
- For extra flavor, consider browning the ground beef with some taco seasoning before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Use fresh, high-quality salsa for the best taste - it makes a huge difference in the overall flavor profile.
- If you want to make this dish even more exciting, try adding diced green chilies or a sprinkle of cumin for additional depth.
- Don't have tortilla strips? You can easily substitute with tortilla chips or cut corn tortillas into strips.
- For a leaner version, use ground turkey instead of beef and opt for low-fat cheese.
- Prep ingredients the night before to make morning assembly a breeze.
- Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow the flavors to settle and make serving easier.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 70mg
