This Mexican Quesadilla Casserole combines the bold flavors of quesadillas with the comforting layers of a baked casserole. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with lime juice & cilantro
- 1 (8.75 oz) can sweet corn, drained
- 1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chiles, drained
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 6 flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
1. Prepare the base
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook the filling
In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until browned (5–7 minutes). Drain excess fat.
3. Add flavor
Stir in tomato sauce, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, and green chiles. Season with chili powder, cumin, garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Layer the casserole
Spread a small amount of beef mixture in the baking dish. Add tortillas, then more filling, and sprinkle cheese. Repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top.
5. Bake
Bake for about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for Best Results
- Add jalapeños for extra heat
- Swap beef with chicken or turkey
- Use pepper jack cheese for a spicier twist
- Let it rest before slicing for clean layers