Fiesta-Ready Hearty Mexican White Trash Casserole Recipe

Comfort food takes an unexpected turn with this mouthwatering Mexican white trash casserole that combines bold flavors and simple ingredients.

Layers of cheesy goodness meld perfectly with zesty seasonings and hearty proteins.

Packed with robust textures and surprising depth, this dish delivers a satisfying meal that breaks traditional recipe boundaries.

Each bite promises a delightful explosion of southwestern-inspired tastes that dance across your palate.

Ground beef, cheese, and crispy tortilla chips create a stunning culinary canvas of deliciousness.

Home cooks will love how quickly this casserole comes together with minimal effort.

Hungry families and weeknight dinner heroes will celebrate this easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that brings excitement to the dinner table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 6

What You’ll Need for Mexican White Trash Casserole

• Ground Beef: Rich, hearty protein that forms the savory foundation of the casserole, choose lean cuts for less grease and better texture.
• Taco Seasoning: Zesty spice blend that infuses the meat with bold Mexican-inspired flavors, look for low-sodium options for better control.

• Rotel Tomatoes: Spicy canned tomatoes that add vibrant kick and moisture, select original or mild version based on heat preference.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Smooth base creating rich consistency, opt for low-sodium varieties for balanced flavor.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Additional creamy element providing depth and silkiness, choose reduced-fat version for lighter texture.
• Sour Cream: Tangy ingredient enhancing creaminess and adding subtle richness, select full-fat for best flavor.

• Tortilla Quarters: Soft corn base creating layered structure, use fresh tortillas for optimal texture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty cheese providing classic comfort flavor, select aged variety for more intense taste.
• Monterey Jack Cheese: Mild, smooth cheese complementing cheddar's sharpness, choose freshly grated for best melting.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish adding bright color and mild onion crunch, select crisp, bright green stalks.
• Cilantro: Optional herb bringing fresh, citrusy note, choose bright green leaves without wilting.
• Avocado: Creamy topping offering cool contrast, select ripe but firm avocados.

Kitchen Tools for Layering Mexican White Trash Casserole

• Large skillet: Essential for browning ground beef and cooking taco seasoning.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Perfect for layering and baking the entire casserole.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining creamy mixture ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Help measure ingredients accurately.
• Spatula: Great for mixing and spreading layers evenly.
• Aluminum foil: Covers casserole during initial baking to prevent burning.
• Cheese grater: Optional, for freshly grated cheese (if not using pre-shredded).
• Sharp knife: For chopping garnishes like green onions and cilantro.

How to Build a Mexican White Trash Casserole

• Fire Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350 degrees and grab a baking dish ready for some culinary.

• Brown The Meat

Sizzle ground beef in a skillet until it’s nicely colored, then sprinkle in taco seasoning for a flavor explosion. Let it simmer and get all delicious.

• Create The Creamy Base

Whisk together Rotel tomatoes, soup varieties, and sour cream into a dreamy mixture that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Layer With Love

Spread a thin creamy blanket on the bottom of your dish. Tuck in tortilla pieces, then shower with seasoned meat, more of that luscious cream mix, and a generous snowfall of cheese.

• Bake To Perfection

Cover with foil and slide into the oven. After 20 minutes, reveal the casserole and let the cheese turn golden and bubbly for another 10 minutes.

• Serve And Celebrate

Let the dish rest briefly, then invite some fresh green onions or cilantro to the party. Scoop out and enjoy the southwestern comfort feast!

Tips for Extra Flavor in Mexican White Trash Casserole

• Add a splash of hot sauce or diced jalapeños to amp up the spice level and give the casserole a kick.
• Prepare the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
• For a gluten-free version, use corn tortillas and ensure your taco seasoning is gluten-free. Substitute cream soups with homemade alternatives or gluten-free cream soup options.
• Experiment with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives to change up the protein while keeping the classic casserole texture and flavor profile.
• Sneak in extra nutrition by adding diced bell peppers, corn, or black beans between the layers for more texture and flavor complexity.

Ways to Serve Mexican White Trash Casserole Easily

• Fiesta Night Feast: Serve this zesty casserole as the star of your dinner party with friends and family.
• Taco Tuesday Twist: Transform your regular taco night by presenting this creamy, cheesy casserole alongside classic taco sides like salsa and guacamole.
• Spicy Comfort Combo: Pair the dish with a crisp green salad and Mexican-style rice to balance the rich, hearty flavors of the casserole.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve this casserole during sports events or potlucks, cutting into easy-to-share squares that will keep everyone happy and satisfied.

Save Leftovers of This Bold Casserole Dish

• Keep leftovers in airtight containers within the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
• Wrap individual portions or entire casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing flat in freezer up to 2 months for convenient future meals.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then warm in oven at 350F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive drying and maintain original texture.
• Break down recipe steps beforehand – brown meat, mix creamy sauce, and chop garnishes – to streamline cooking process and reduce day-of preparation time.

FAQs

• What ingredients can I substitute if I don't have some on hand?

You can replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken. Instead of Rotel tomatoes, use regular diced tomatoes with green chilies. For cream soups, you can use homemade white sauce or alternative cream-based soups.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild to moderate spice level from the taco seasoning and Rotel tomatoes. If you prefer less heat, use mild taco seasoning or reduce the amount. For more spice, add diced jalapeños or use hot taco seasoning.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble all layers, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking and follow the original baking instructions.

• Is this dish gluten-free?

The recipe is not naturally gluten-free due to taco seasoning and cream soups. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free taco seasoning, cream soups, and verify that all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Hearty Mexican White Trash Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Mexican White Trash Casserole delivers bold southwestern flavors in one comforting dish. Layers of ground beef, cheese, and zesty spices create a simple, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded monterey jack cheese
• 6 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into quarters
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsps homemade taco seasoning)
• 1 (10 oz / 280 g) can rotel tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
• 1 (10.5 oz / 300 g) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10.5 oz / 300 g) can cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup (120 ml) water
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• Sliced green onions
• Chopped cilantro
• Diced avocado
• Sour cream

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Coat a baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350F (175C), setting the stage for a culinary adventure.
2. Meat Transformation: In a skillet, brown the ground beef thoroughly, draining excess fat, then enliven with taco seasoning and a water splash, simmering for 2-3 minutes to intensify flavors.
3. Cream Fusion: Whisk Rotel tomatoes, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and sour cream into a harmonious, velvety sauce that will bind the casserole’s components.
4. Layering Foundation: Spread a thin cream mixture base in the baking dish, arranging tortilla quarters to create a sturdy architectural base for the upcoming flavor layers.
5. Strategic Layering: Construct alternating strata by distributing seasoned ground beef, cream mixture, and a generous cascade of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, repeating to build depth and complexity.
6. Baking Ritual: Cover with aluminum foil, bake for 20 minutes, then unveil to allow the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece of molten deliciousness.
7. Finishing Touch: Let the casserole rest briefly, then garnish with optional embellishments like green onions, cilantro, avocado, or a refreshing sour cream dollop to elevate the sensory experience.

Notes

• Meat Precision: Brown ground beef thoroughly to enhance flavor and prevent excess grease, using a lean cut for healthier results.
• Seasoning Mastery: Mix taco seasoning completely with meat, allowing 2-3 minutes of simmering to develop deep, authentic Mexican-inspired flavors.
• Cheese Distribution: Layer cheeses evenly for consistent melting and maximum flavor coverage across the entire casserole.
• Temperature Control: Cover with foil initially to prevent cheese burning, then uncover to achieve perfect golden-brown melted cheese texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg