Mexican white trash casserole (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Casserole foundation
01 -
1 bag (9-10 oz) tortilla chips, lightly crushed
02 -
450 g ground beef or ground turkey for lighter option
03 -
1 packet (28 g) taco seasoning
04 -
240 ml salsa, preferred heat level
05 -
1 can (425 g) refried beans
06 -
200 g shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
→ Optional toppings for serving
07 -
Sour cream
08 -
Guacamole
09 -
Diced fresh tomatoes
10 -
Sliced black olives
11 -
Chopped green onions
12 -
Fresh cilantro leaves
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a 23x33 cm (9x13 inch) baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
02 -
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat, then stir in taco seasoning and salsa. Simmer for 2-3 minutes allowing flavors to meld.
03 -
Evenly spread half of the crushed tortilla chips across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a crunchy foundation.
04 -
Spoon the refried beans over the chips and spread evenly. Layer half of the seasoned meat mixture on top of the beans, spreading uniformly.
05 -
Sprinkle 100 g of the shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the meat layer to bind the layers.
06 -
Place the remaining half of tortilla chips over the cheese, then top with the rest of the meat mixture. Finish by sprinkling the remaining 100 g of cheese over the surface.
07 -
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
08 -
Add desired optional toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, green onions, and cilantro. Serve warm.
# Notes:
01 -
Use ground turkey as a lighter protein alternative for reduced fat content.