Cheesy Taco Enchilada Casserole
I could eat Mexican food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for the rest of my life and be completely satisfied. I mean, tacos are my favorite food group ;) As a kid, we had taco night fairly often and it was always my favorite. My mom is a master of putting a meal together that most people make in simple ways. Now, there’s nothing wrong with a basic taco, but adding different flavors and textures and using all of the accoutrements is the best part!
A couple nights ago I had a plan to make a skillet taco pie because I was craving tacos but wanted it all put together in a different way. I started looking around my pantry, saw a can of enchilada sauce and knew I wanted to do something a little different. I browned the turkey meat and added in some chopped onions and homemade taco seasoning. At that point I still wasn’t sure what I was going to make, but one quick thought later about a stacked enchilada dish I had at my favorite local Mexican restaurant, I had an “aha” moment… and that’s how this cheesy taco enchilada casserole was born. I would have loved to add avocado and sour cream, but my avocados were still rock hard, and I didn’t have any sour cream!
It’s simple, doesn’t take a ton of skill, and can easily be thrown together on a weeknight when you don’t want to think hard about what to make.
You’ll need:
9x13 inch casserole dish
1lb ground turkey, browned (can use beef as well)
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
8 corn tortillas
One 12oz can red enchilada sauce
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
3 cups shredded mexican blend cheese
1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 packet taco seasoning (or you can make your own)
1/4 cup water
I make my own taco seasoning, here’s what I use:
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoons fresh ground pepper
Mix together!
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
1. Brown your desired meat of choice and add chopped yellow onion.
2. Add taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water, mix. Let simmer for a few minutes.
3. Cover the bottom of your casserole dish with a thin layer of enchilada sauce.
4. Add two corn tortillas, side by side. (It’s okay of they overlap) Pour another thin layer of enchilada sauce on top of the corn tortillas.
5. Add layers of taco meat, beans, and cheese.
6. Repeat the process until you’ve used all 8 tortillas.
7. Add extra cheese on top and put in oven for 10-15 min, or until cheese is lightly baked.
8. Sprinkle chopped jalapeños and cilantro on top, bake another 5 minutes.
Add avocado and sour cream, or anything else that sounds tasty to you!
Enjoy!
