Spicy Black-Eyed Pea and Beef Casserole
This savory casserole features the robust flavors of Emeril's signature Creole seasoning paired with hearty black-eyed peas, zesty jalapenos, and succulent ground beef. Ideal for gatherings, this layered dish combines melted cheddar cheese with corn tortillas, creating a comforting blend of textures and tastes perfect for entertaining. This variation, inspired by an Emeril Live episode, optimizes the flavor by including drained diced tomatoes and fine-tuned tortilla layers, ensuring each bite is perfectly balanced.
6-8 servings
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1 lb
yellow onion
1 medium (diced)
garlic cloves
2 (chopped)
cooked black-eyed peas
3 cups
jalapeno
1 medium (diced)
diced tomatoes
10 ounces (drained)
cream of mushroom soup
10 ounces
cream of chicken soup
10 ounces
mild enchilada sauce
10 ounces
Louisiana hot sauce
2 - 3 dashes
Emeril's Original Essence
2 tablespoons
corn tortillas
6 - 8 count package (torn into large pieces)
butter
(for greasing dish)
grated cheddar cheese
2 cups
green onion
(chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked and crumbled. Drain the excess grease.
2
Add the diced onion, chopped garlic, diced jalapeno, and Emeril's Original Essence to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the onion is softened.
3
Stir in the cooked black-eyed peas, drained diced tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and enchilada sauce. Season with a few dashes of hot sauce to taste.
4
Allow the mixture to simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes until thoroughly warmed.
5
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
6
Tear the corn tortillas into large pieces.
7
Grease a large casserole dish with butter. Cover the bottom of the dish with a layer of torn tortilla pieces.
8
Spoon half of the ground beef mixture over the tortillas, spreading it into a thin, even layer, and top with half of the grated cheddar cheese.
9
Add another layer of torn tortillas, followed by the remaining beef mixture, and finish with the remaining cheddar cheese.
10
Cover the casserole dish with foil to keep the cheese from burning during baking.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing into squares, approximately 2 by 2 inches.
13
Serve warm, garnished with chopped green onions.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Black-Eyed Pea and Beef Casserole?
It is a savory, layered dish featuring ground beef, black-eyed peas, jalapenos, and Creole seasoning, topped with cheddar cheese and corn tortillas.
What are the main ingredients?
The main ingredients include ground beef, yellow onion, garlic, cooked black-eyed peas, jalapenos, diced tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, enchilada sauce, and corn tortillas.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 6 to 8 servings.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How long does the casserole need to bake?
The casserole should be baked for 35 to 45 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
What seasoning is used for the Creole flavor?
Emeril's Original Essence is used to give the dish its signature Creole flavor.
Should the ground beef be drained?
Yes, you should brown the ground beef and then drain the excess grease before adding other ingredients.
How do I prepare the corn tortillas for the casserole?
Tear the corn tortillas into large pieces rather than leaving them whole.
Is the casserole spicy?
Yes, it has a spicy kick from the diced jalapenos, Louisiana hot sauce, and Emeril's Original Essence.
What kind of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese.
Do I need to cover the dish while baking?
Yes, cover the casserole dish with foil during baking to prevent the cheese from burning.
How do I layer the casserole?
Start with a layer of torn tortillas, add half the beef mixture and half the cheese, then repeat the layers.
What should I use to grease the casserole dish?
Grease the large casserole dish with butter before assembly.
How long should the beef and bean mixture simmer?
Allow the mixture to simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes until it is thoroughly warmed.
What type of tomatoes are recommended?
The recipe specifies using 10 ounces of drained diced tomatoes.
Which soups are used in the sauce mixture?
You will need one 10-ounce can each of cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup.
How many black-eyed peas are required?
You will need 3 cups of cooked black-eyed peas for this recipe.
What type of onion is used in the base?
A medium yellow onion, diced, is the recommended choice.
How should the casserole be served?
The casserole should be sliced into squares, approximately 2 by 2 inches, and served warm.
What is a recommended garnish?
Chopped green onions are a perfect garnish for this dish.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 chopped garlic cloves for flavor.
How much ground beef is needed?
The recipe requires 1 pound of ground beef.
How many corn tortillas do I need?
A package of 6 to 8 corn tortillas is sufficient for the layers.
How much Emeril's Original Essence should I add?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of Emeril's Original Essence.
Can I adjust the heat level?
Yes, you can adjust the heat by increasing or decreasing the dashes of Louisiana hot sauce.
What type of enchilada sauce is used?
The recipe uses 10 ounces of mild enchilada sauce.
How long do I cook the vegetables with the beef?
Cook the onion, garlic, and jalapeno with the beef for 3 to 5 minutes until the onion is softened.
Should I let the casserole cool before slicing?
Yes, allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes to help the squares hold their shape.
Is this recipe good for entertaining?
Yes, its layered structure and comforting flavors make it ideal for gatherings.
What texture does the casserole have?
It features a blend of hearty beef and peas, creamy sauce, melted cheese, and soft corn tortilla layers.