Easy Burrito Casserole is the weeknight dinner savior you’ve been dreaming of! This simple, one-dish meal transforms classic burrito flavors into a comforting, bakeable format, making it incredibly useful for busy families and anyone craving Tex-Mex goodness without the fuss.
Key Ingredients for Easy Burrito Casserole:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 (1.25 ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 (15 ounce) can refried beans
- 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce (red or green, your preference)
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
How to Make Easy Burrito Casserole:
Get ready for a flavor explosion that’s surprisingly simple to achieve! This Easy Burrito Casserole is a symphony of satisfying textures and rich, savory notes, all baked into a comforting dish that takes mere minutes to prepare and about 30 minutes to bake. Imagine the irresistible aroma filling your kitchen as layers of seasoned ground meat, hearty beans, and melty cheese bake to golden perfection. It’s the kind of meal that promises happy faces around the dinner table, with minimal cleanup.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This ensures your casserole won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Brown the Meat: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned meat and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the Flavor Base: Stir in the rinsed and drained black beans, the undrained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, the taco seasoning, and the 1/2 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Prepare the Tortillas: While the meat mixture simmers, cut the flour tortillas into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch squares. This step makes them easier to layer and mix throughout the casserole.
- Assemble the Casserole – Layer 1: In a large bowl, combine the tortilla pieces, refried beans, and enchilada sauce. Stir gently until the tortilla pieces are evenly coated. This creates a creamy, saucy base for your casserole.
- Add the Meat Mixture: Add about half of the seasoned meat and bean mixture to the tortilla mixture and stir to combine.
- First Cheese Layer: Spread half of the tortilla and meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded Mexican cheese blend over this layer.
- Second Meat Layer: Spoon the remaining meat and bean mixture over the cheese layer.
- Final Cheese Layer: Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese blend, ensuring good coverage.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil (this prevents the cheese from browning too quickly). Bake for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and Brown: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. The edges should be visibly hot.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Easy Burrito Casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set slightly, making it easier to dish out. Garnish with your favorite toppings!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Burrito Casserole:
Get ready to fall head over heels for this Easy Burrito Casserole! Its main feature is the incredible convenience of transforming all your favorite burrito fillings into a comforting, baked dish with minimal effort. Not only is it remarkably easy to make, but it’s also a fantastic cost-saving alternative to your favorite Mexican restaurant, allowing you to enjoy those craveable Tex-Mex flavors right from your own kitchen for a fraction of the price. The secret to its irresistible flavor lies in the simple yet impactful combination of seasoned ground meat, creamy refried beans, zesty Rotel, and that perfectly melted cheese blend.
Compared to making individual burritos, this casserole streamlines the process without sacrificing any of the beloved taste. It’s a true weeknight winner that offers a hearty and satisfying meal that the whole family will devour, and best of all, it leaves you with minimal cleanup thanks to the one-dish wonder. Don’t just take our word for it – whip up this Easy Burrito Casserole this week and experience the delicious simplicity for yourself!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Storing Leftovers:
- Refrigeration: Once the Easy Burrito Casserole has cooled completely, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also transfer individual portions to airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, cool the casserole entirely. You can freeze the entire dish (if it fits in your freezer) or portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Ensure it is well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn. Frozen Easy Burrito Casserole will stay fresh for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating Instructions:
- From Refrigerated:
- Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish, cover it loosely with foil, and reheat for 15-25 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to re-crisp the top if desired.
- Microwave Method: For a quicker reheat, place a portion of the casserole on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until hot.
- From Frozen:
- Oven Method (Recommended for best texture): Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat as directed for refrigerated leftovers. If reheating directly from frozen, allow for longer reheating time, typically 45-60 minutes, covered, then uncover for the last 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave Method (Can affect texture): While possible, microwaving frozen casserole can result in a less desirable texture. If you must, carefully break apart frozen portions and microwave on defrost for a few minutes, then switch to high power until heated through.
Final Thoughts:
This Easy Burrito Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for any night of the week. Its simple preparation and delicious, familiar flavors make it a guaranteed hit everyone will love. Give it a try and discover your new favorite go-to weeknight meal!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Easy Burrito Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned meat and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.1 medium onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Stir in the rinsed and drained black beans, the undrained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, the taco seasoning, and the 1/2 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld together.1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained, 1 10 ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained, 1 1.25 ounce packet taco seasoning, 1/2 cup water
- While the meat mixture simmers, cut the flour tortillas into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch squares.12 (6-inch) flour tortillas, cut into 1-inch pieces
- In a large bowl, combine the tortilla pieces, refried beans, and enchilada sauce. Stir gently until the tortilla pieces are evenly coated.12 (6-inch) flour tortillas, cut into 1-inch pieces, 1 15 ounce can refried beans, 1 10 ounce can enchilada sauce (red or green, your preference)
- Add about half of the seasoned meat and bean mixture to the tortilla mixture and stir to combine.
- Spread half of the tortilla and meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded Mexican cheese blend over this layer.2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Spoon the remaining meat and bean mixture over the cheese layer.
- Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese blend, ensuring good coverage.2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Let the Easy Burrito Casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.