Are you craving a mouthwatering meal that combines the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine with the convenience of slow cooking? Look no further! This Crock Pot Mexican Casserole is about to become your new favorite family dinner that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. Imagine coming home to a house filled with the irresistible aroma of seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty salsa - all perfectly blended in one incredible dish that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 jar salsa
- 2 cups tortilla chips
- 2 cups cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by draining black beans and corn completely, and measuring out all other ingredients.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess fat.
- Add taco seasoning to the ground beef, stirring thoroughly to coat the meat evenly.
- Lightly grease the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Layer ingredients in the crock pot in the following order: first spread a thin layer of salsa on the bottom, then add ground beef, black beans, and corn.
- Pour remaining salsa over the layers, ensuring even distribution of sauce.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the mixture.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours, or on high heat for 3-4 hours.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, crush tortilla chips and sprinkle over the top, then add remaining cheese.
- Once cooking is complete, let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to set.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh cilantro, sour cream, or additional salsa.
Tips
- For extra flavor, consider using homemade taco seasoning instead of store-bought packets to control the salt and spice levels.
- Drain beans and corn thoroughly to prevent excess liquid in your casserole, which could make the dish too watery.
- Use lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) to reduce excess fat and keep the dish healthier.
- If you want to make this dish ahead of time, you can prepare all ingredients the night before and store them in the refrigerator, then simply transfer to the crock pot in the morning.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or additional beans.
- Experiment with different types of salsa - from mild to spicy - to customize the heat level to your preference.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and make serving easier.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 65mg
