Cheesy Beef Tortilla Bake
This Cheesy Beef Tortilla Bake is a hearty, flavorful casserole that combines seasoned ground beef, vibrant fresh vegetables, and layers of gooey cheddar cheese all encased in soft corn tortillas. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this recipe is simple to prepare and sure to impress. Serve it hot from the oven with your favorite toppings like sour cream, avocado, or fresh cilantro for a complete meal that feels comforting and indulgent.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1 lb (browned and drained)
olives
1 cup (chopped)
onion
1 large (chopped)
tomatoes
2 large (chopped)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
bell pepper
1/2 (chopped)
enchilada sauce
1 (28 ounce) can (none)
cheddar cheese
1 lb (grated)
chili powder
1 tablespoon (none)
cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
corn tortillas
16 small (fried)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
3
Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
4
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, enchilada sauce, chili powder, and cumin. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5
While the meat mixture simmers, lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
6
In a separate pan, quickly fry the corn tortillas in a little oil on each side until soft and pliable. Drain on paper towels.
7
To assemble the casserole, start by spreading 1/3 of the meat mixture on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
8
Layer half of the fried tortillas over the meat mixture, followed by half of the grated cheddar cheese and half of the chopped olives.
9
Repeat the layering process with another 1/3 of the meat mixture, the remaining tortillas, the rest of the cheese, and another half of the olives.
10
Finish by topping with the final third of the meat mixture, ensuring it's evenly distributed.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12
Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious Cheesy Beef Tortilla Bake!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Beef Tortilla Bake?
It is a hearty, flavorful casserole that combines seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and layers of cheddar cheese in soft corn tortillas.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What kind of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of ground beef.
How should the ground beef be prepared?
The ground beef should be browned over medium heat until fully cooked and then drained of any excess fat.
What vegetables are included in the sauté mixture?
One large chopped onion, four minced garlic cloves, and half a chopped bell pepper are sautéed with the beef.
How long should the meat mixture simmer?
The meat mixture should simmer uncovered for 20 minutes after adding tomatoes, sauce, and spices.
What kind of sauce is used?
The recipe uses one 28-ounce can of enchilada sauce.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The seasonings include one tablespoon of chili powder and one teaspoon of cumin.
What size baking dish do I need?
A 9 x 13-inch baking dish is recommended.
How many corn tortillas are required?
The recipe requires 16 small corn tortillas.
Do I need to prepare the tortillas before layering?
Yes, quickly fry the corn tortillas in a little oil until they are soft and pliable, then drain them on paper towels.
How is the casserole assembled?
It is assembled in layers starting with 1/3 of the meat mixture, followed by tortillas, cheese, and olives, repeated once more, and finished with the final third of meat.
What kind of cheese is used?
One pound of grated cheddar cheese is used for the layers.
How many olives are in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped olives.
How long does the bake need to stay in the oven?
Bake the casserole for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, let it cool for a few minutes before serving to help it set.
What are recommended toppings for this dish?
Recommended toppings include sour cream, avocado, or fresh cilantro.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 4 garlic cloves, minced.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 large tomatoes, chopped.
Is the baking dish greased?
Yes, you should lightly grease the 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
What is the first layer of the casserole?
The first layer is 1/3 of the meat mixture spread on the bottom of the dish.
How much chili powder is used?
One tablespoon of chili powder is added to the meat mixture.
Can I use a different type of tortilla?
The recipe specifies small corn tortillas for the best texture and flavor.
How many layers of tortillas are there?
There are two layers of tortillas in the casserole.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include casserole, beef, cheesy, tortilla, comfort food, family meal, and easy recipe.
Does the recipe use cumin?
Yes, it uses 1 teaspoon of cumin.
How much bell pepper is needed?
The recipe uses 1/2 of a chopped bell pepper.
Is this recipe considered a family meal?
Yes, it is described as perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Is the meat mixture brought to a boil?
Yes, bring the mixture to a boil before reducing the heat to simmer.
What is the final topping before baking?
The final third of the meat mixture is distributed evenly on top before the dish goes into the oven.