A tasty Burrito Casserole is the perfect dish to satisfy the whole family, offering all the delightful flavors of a burrito in a quick and easy format. With countless possibilities for variations, it can be prepared ahead of time or even frozen for future meals.
By now, it’s no secret that Mexican Recipes and Tex-Mex food hold a special place in the author’s heart. Among all the delightful recipes featured on their site, this Wet Burrito stands out as a firm favorite. Taking inspiration from the classic burrito, they have ingeniously transformed it into a fuss-free casserole that is guaranteed to capture your taste buds!
Burrito Casserole
A casserole refers to the practice of combining or layering various ingredients in a single pan. It can range from classic dishes like Tater Tot casserole and Cheesy Potato Casserole to creative options such as a delightful Mexican twist with a Burrito Casserole.
In the realm of burrito fillings and casseroles, the options are limitless. Feel free to explore different combinations of beans, meats, cheeses, and additional ingredients. There are even a few variations provided below for inspiration. However, what truly matters is that you make it your own by adding your personal touch.
Why You’ll Love This Burrito Casserole
- It is incredibly simple to prepare! Apart from browning the ground beef, only a minute or two is needed for assembly before it goes into the oven. This dish requires minimal effort!
- Ideal for large gatherings, this recipe offers versatility in pan sizes. Follow the instructions to create an 8-inch square pan or double the measurements for a 13×9-inch pan when catering to a larger group of people.
- It reheats exceptionally well! This makes it perfect for convenient meal prepping during the weekend or for preparing ahead to effortlessly pop into the oven on a busy weeknight.
What You’ll Need For Making Burrito Casserole
Don’t forget to scroll down to the recipe card to find the exact measurements and comprehensive instructions!
- Lean Ground Beef (Ground turkey is a suitable alternative).
- Onion.
- Taco Seasoning – you can use a store bought packet or Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Black Beans – Ensure they are drained and rinsed.
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles come in various heat levels to cater to your personal preference. You can choose between mild, medium, or hot Rotel tomatoes according to your taste buds.
- Sour Cream.
- Shredded Cheese.
- In preparing the dish, choose flour tortillas that measure around 8 inches in diameter. This size perfectly filled my baking pan of the same dimensions. However, if you have tortillas of different sizes, it may be necessary to trim them down in order to ensure a proper fit
How To Make Burrito Casserole
- In a large skillet, the ground beef and onion are cooked together over medium heat. Use a spatula to break up the beef while it cooks. Continue cooking for 5-6 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are soft. Once done, any excess grease from the skillet should be drained.
- In the skillet with the cooked beef, add the taco seasoning, water, and black beans. Gently stir everything together and allow it to simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Preheat your oven to the appropriate temperature.
- In a neutral and engaging narrative, one can begin by taking an 8-inch skillet and applying a thin layer of non-stick spray to prevent any sticking. Following that, the next step involves placing a flour tortilla at the bottom of the skillet.
- In a narrative tone, layer half of the cooked ground beef mixture onto the tortilla. Then, add half of the sauce mixture and approximately one-third of the shredded cheese on top.
- The layers should be repeated using the remaining ingredients. Finish off with another tortilla on top, and generously sprinkle cheese over it.
- The skillet can be covered with foil to maintain moisture. Afterward, it should be baked in the preheated oven for approximately 30-40 minutes until the entire dish is thoroughly heated.
- Once the baking is complete, the skillet should be carefully removed from the oven. Afterward, feel free to add your desired toppings on top of your dish.
- The delicious layered tortilla dish can be easily enjoyed by slicing and serving it with your preferred toppings. Indulge in the flavorsome creation you have made!
Recipe Tips & Variations
- If one is not fond of black beans, it’s always a good idea to switch things up! Pinto beans or refried beans make excellent alternatives. For those who prefer to skip the beans altogether, they can be omitted or substituted with corn. Alternatively, why not include both if you enjoy them?
- Toppings can truly enhance the flavor and provide a refreshing twist to this dish. Consider adding some diced tomatoes, sour cream, black olives, cilantro, jalapenos, hot sauce, or even avocado for a burst of deliciousness.
- In this recipe, ground beef is commonly used, but any type of protein can be substituted. Ground turkey or diced chicken breasts are excellent alternatives.
- Burritos are typically prepared using flour tortillas, which is the recommended choice in this instance. However, if you prefer a slight variation in flavor, corn tortillas can also be used. When opting for corn tortillas, I personally recommend preparing a flavorful Beef Enchilada Casserole instead.
- The casserole can be prepared in a pie plate or a spring form pan with sufficiently high sides. This allows for a perfect fit of the tortilla in the center.
- To ensure easy removal of the casserole without any residue sticking to the bottom, it is recommended to spray the bottom of the pan before adding the tortillas. This simple step significantly aids in serving a clean scoop of your delicious dish.
- If one prefers spiciness, they can consider adding diced jalapenos to the meat during its cooking process. Alternatively, utilizing the hot variation of Rotel tomatoes is also an option.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Ground Beef Casserole Recipe – Easy and Delicious
- Million Dollar Spaghetti – Easy Casserole Recipe
- Creamed Chipped Beef – Classic and Comforting Dish
Burrito Casserole Recipe – Easy and Delicious
Burrito Casserole offers a delightful combination of flavors that resemble a traditional burrito, presented in an effortlessly prepared casserole suitable for the entire family. With numerous ways to customize and adapt, it allows you to get creative in advance preparation or even freezing for future consumption.
Ingredients
- 3 8 inch flour tortillas
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 onion finely chopped
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F.
- In a large skillet brown ground beef and onion together, breaking up for 5-6 minutes, until the beef is cooked and the onions are soft. Drain away any grease.
- Add taco seasoning, water, and black beans. Simmer for a couple minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- Make the sauce by mixing together diced tomatoes with the sour cream.
- Spray an 8 inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Place a flour tortilla in the bottom. Add 1/2 of the ground beef mixture, 1/2 of the sauce mixture and about 1/3 of the cheese.
- Repeat with the rest of the ingredients ending with a tortilla topped with cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes until everything is nice and hot.
- Remove from the oven and top with desired toppings.
Notes
The recipe offers flexibility in spicing up your dish to match your taste preferences. You can choose between mild, medium, or hot Rotel tomatoes for the sauce, and the option to use homemade or store-bought taco seasoning allows for a customized level of spice.
