Mexican White Trash Casserole

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Mexican White Trash Casserole is the kind of no-fuss, full-flavor comfort food that makes dinner feel like a big, warm hug. It’s cheesy, meaty, creamy, and packed with all the bold Tex-Mex flavors you love without needing a ton of time or fancy ingredients. Think layers of ground beef, beans, tortillas, gooey cheese, and a zesty creamy sauce all baked into bubbly, melty perfection.

If you’re a fan of down-home casseroles or Tex-Mex favorites like taco lasagna or enchiladas, this dish is going to be your next obsession.

Pure Comfort

Sometimes you just want something that tastes like indulgence, and this casserole is it. It’s unapologetically hearty and cheesy with a crispy golden top and a creamy, spicy interior. It brings the same cozy energy as a cheesy pasta recipe, but with a Southwestern flair. Perfect for chilly nights, game days, or lazy Sundays on the couch.

Ingredients for Mexican White Trash Casserole

Ingredients laid out for Mexican White Trash Casserole including cheese, beef, and tortillas
Gather simple ingredients for an epic Mexican White Trash Casserole

Here’s what you’ll need to make the magic happen:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (10 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • 1 bag of tortilla chips or 8 small flour tortillas (torn into pieces)
  • Optional: jalapeños, green onions, olives for topping

What You Need for Mexican White Trash Casserole

This is a low-equipment, high-satisfaction kind of recipe. You’ll need:

  • A 9×13-inch casserole dish
  • Skillet for browning beef
  • Mixing bowls
  • A spoon or spatula
  • Aluminum foil (for baking, optional)

Time to Cook Mexican White Trash Casserole

This recipe is made for busy nights:

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes

Steps to Make Mexican White Trash Casserole

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Brown the beef in a skillet with the onions over medium heat. Drain excess fat, then stir in taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the soup and sour cream until smooth. Stir in both cheeses, reserving a handful for topping.
  4. Layer the casserole: Start with a layer of chips or tortillas, followed by the beef mixture, then the creamy cheese sauce. Repeat layers until ingredients are used up, ending with a sprinkle of cheese on top.
  5. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
  6. Top with optional garnishes like sliced jalapeños, olives, or green onions. Serve hot and dig in!

Make Mexican White Trash Casserole Perfect

  • Use freshly grated cheese for maximum meltiness.
  • Want it spicier? Add cayenne or use pepper jack cheese.
  • Swap cream of chicken for cream of mushroom or cheddar soup if needed.
  • Let the casserole sit for 5–10 minutes after baking this helps it set and makes slicing easier.

Mix Mexican White Trash Casserole Up

This casserole is endlessly adaptable:

  • Add corn, chopped bell peppers, or cooked rice to the beef layer.
  • Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.
  • Try it with crushed Doritos or flavored tortilla chips for a crunchier texture and bolder flavor.
  • Add a layer of refried beans or drizzle salsa between layers.

Perfect Partners

This hearty casserole pairs great with:

  • A fresh green salad with creamy avocado dressing
  • Cornbread or sweet rolls
  • Mexican-style rice or cilantro lime rice
  • What to serve with taco lasagna also works perfectly here!

Busy Day Hero

When time is tight but hunger is real, this recipe delivers. You can prep the entire casserole the night before and bake when you get home. Or bake ahead and just reheat it’s a true lifesaver on weeknights.

Need more busy-day dinner inspiration? Don’t miss these delicious and easy ground beef slow cooker recipes for more set-it-and-forget-it options.

Work Ahead

This casserole is meal-prep friendly:

  • Assemble it ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
  • Or freeze it (unbaked) tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.

Save Some For Later

Leftovers? Yes, please.

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
  • You can even freeze portions for grab-and-go lunches later in the week.

Everyone’s Happy

Cheese? Check. Chips? Check. Beefy, creamy, spicy goodness? Triple check. This is one of those dinners where no one complains. Kids love it, adults love it, and guests will ask for the recipe before they’ve even finished their plate.

Good For You Too

While this casserole is pure indulgence, you can make it a little lighter:

  • Use light sour cream and low-fat cheese
  • Go with ground turkey
  • Add extra beans or veggies to up the fiber
  • Serve with a side salad to balance the richness

Easy Clean Up

Minimal mess, maximum reward. One skillet, one bowl, one casserole dish. Line your baking dish with foil or use cooking spray to make cleanup even easier. Dinner and dishes? Done.

Switch It Up

Want to transform this into something new?

  • Roll it into tortillas before baking for a taquito-style casserole
  • Use it as a dip for parties serve hot with extra chips
  • Layer it lasagna-style with tortillas like in this ultimate taco lasagna recipe

Simply Perfect

Ground beef and creamy sauce layered over tortillas in Mexican White Trash Casserole
Easy layering brings big flavor in this Mexican White Trash Casserole

Sometimes you just need something simple, satisfying, and seriously crave-worthy. Mexican White Trash Casserole hits all the right notes creamy, cheesy, savory, and just the right amount of spicy. It’s comfort food without pretension, and that’s what makes it perfect.

FAQs for Mexican White Trash Casserole

Q1: Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free tortillas or chips, and make sure your soup is certified gluten-free.

Q2: Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of ground beef?
Absolutely it saves even more time and still tastes amazing.

Q3: What if I don’t have taco seasoning?
Make your own with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.

Q4: Can I add veggies?
Definitely! Corn, zucchini, bell peppers, or jalapeños are great options.

Q5: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
It’s not ideal for slow cookers due to the crispy topping, but you could prep the filling there and assemble later.

Q6: Is this freezer-friendly?
Yes assemble ahead and freeze before baking, or freeze leftovers after cooking.

Conclusion for Mexican White Trash Casserole

Mexican White Trash Casserole is the kind of recipe that wins hearts and fills bellies with minimal effort. It’s rich, savory, and customizable to whatever you have on hand. Whether you’re feeding a family, a crowd, or just craving cozy comfort food, this dish delivers.

Still hungry? Dive into more crowd-pleasers like Easy Baked Taco Lasagne or this Ultimate Ground Beef Taco Lasagna and keep that Tex-Mex flavor train rolling.

Happy cooking with Rita chef ❤️!

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Cheesy Mexican White Trash Casserole hot from the oven

Mexican White Trash Casserole


  • Author: Rita
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

This Mexican White Trash Casserole is a cheesy, creamy, flavor-packed comfort dish layered with seasoned beef, tortillas, beans, and two types of cheese. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner that comes together in under an hour and satisfies every time.


Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef, 1 packet taco seasoning, 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies, 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1 bag of tortilla chips or 8 small flour tortillas (torn), optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, green onions, olives


Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a skillet, brown ground beef with onions, then stir in taco seasoning and tomatoes. In a bowl, mix sour cream, soup, and cheeses (reserve a bit of cheese for topping). Layer casserole in dish starting with chips/tortillas, then meat, then cheese mix. Repeat and top with cheese. Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Garnish and serve.

Notes

You can prep it ahead, freeze before baking, or swap ground turkey for a lighter version. Add veggies like corn or peppers to bulk it up. Let sit 5–10 minutes after baking to set.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Casserole
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 495
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 970mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: Mexican White Trash Casserole, Tex-Mex casserole, ground beef bake

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