Easy Mexican Quesadilla Casserole
Simple, quick, cheesy, and so tasty! This Easy Mexican Quesadilla Casserole makes for the perfect weeknight dinner recipe and is sure to be a hit with the whole family!
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet Recommended (10.25") - but can use any casserole dish
Ingredients
- 3 burrito style (large) tortillas (If making in a traditional casserole dish, 5 tortillas sliced)
- 4 C mixed Mexican shredded cheese (~5 cups for traditional casserole dish)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 red onion
- 1 can chopped green chiles (4 oz can)
- 1/2 C salsa (your preference)
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Brown and drain the ground beef over medium high heat.
- In the cast iron skillet, combine the cooked beef with onion, salsa, chilies, and seasoning. Toss and simmer over medium high heat for about 5 minutes - until onions are tender. Add salt to taste and set aside in a bowl.
- Wipe the pan of major debris (may need to rinse with water and then wipe), but no need to clean entirely. You just want to prepare a decent surface to spray nonstick oil before adding your first layer of tortilla! *If using a traditional casserole dish instead of a cast iron skillet, spray the pan with nonstick spray.
- Into the greased pan, add your first layer of tortilla - a single large tortilla in the bottom - and press down into the edges along the perimeter of the pan. Heat on medium for a minute or two to lightly crisp the bottom of the tortilla in the pan before turning off the heat. *If using a casserole dish, arrange one layer of sliced tortilla in the bottom of a greased dish.
- Over the tortilla, sprinkle the following layers: one large handful shredded cheese (~3/4 C), about a half of the beef mixture (enough to cover the cheese), and another large handful shredded cheese. Top with another tortilla - pressed lightly into the edges where it meets the pan. *If using casserole dish, insert sliced tortillas for tortilla layer.
- Repeat the layers of cheese, beef mixture, and cheese once more. Top with one final tortilla (or sliced tortilla layer for a casserole dish). *Note - if you are using a cast iron skillet, you likely will have a small amount of your beef mixture to spare - I like to stash these leftovers in the fridge to enjoy with nachos or for lunch! It's also great to enjoy on it's own with some avocado!
- Place the entire pan in the oven and broil for ~4-5 minutes (until top tortilla layer is crisp and lightly browned).
- Slice with a pizza cutter to avoid excess crust cracking/cheese sticking. Serve with avocado, salsa, cilantro, sour cream, any garnish you please! Enjoy!
Notes
Store in the fridge in an airtight contain for 5-7 days! Re-heat on low in the oven or in the microwave for about 45 seconds per slice.
Nutrition
Calories: 389kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 24gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 684mgPotassium: 297mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 613IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 404mgIron: 2mg
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