Description
Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and flavorful baked dish combining ground beef, beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies, layered with taco seasoning and topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and crunchy tortilla chips. Perfect for a family meal or casual gatherings, this casserole delivers a satisfying Tex-Mex flair with a balance of protein, fiber, and spices.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they become soft and translucent.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with onions and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon for even cooking. Drain any excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Add Seasonings and Vegetables: Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, kidney beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5-7 minutes to meld flavors.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the beef and bean mixture evenly in the dish as the base layer.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the casserole mixture.
- Top with Tortilla Chips: Sprinkle the crushed tortilla chips over the cheese layer to add a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the topping is slightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool slightly for easier serving. Then, serve warm and enjoy your hearty casserole.
Notes
- You can use whatever shredded cheese blend you prefer or add jalapeños for extra spice.
- For a lower-fat version, use lean ground beef or ground turkey and reduce the amount of cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- If you want a gluten-free version, ensure the taco seasoning and tortilla chips are certified gluten-free.
