Description
Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and flavorful Tex-Mex inspired dish combining seasoned ground beef, black and kidney beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies, all layered with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and a crunchy tortilla chip topping. Perfect for a comforting family meal, this casserole is baked to bubbly perfection and offers a delicious, one-dish supper that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
Canned Goods
- 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
Seasonings and Toppings
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole later.
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, using a spoon to break it apart evenly. Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Add Seasoning and Vegetables: Stir in the taco seasoning, drained black beans, kidney beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to your taste. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes to meld all the flavors together.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking, then spread the beef and bean mixture evenly across the dish.
- Add Cheese Layer: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the top of the beef and bean mixture.
- Add Tortilla Chip Topping: Spread the crushed tortilla chips as the final layer to add a crunchy texture to the casserole.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool slightly before serving for easier portioning and better flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner version.
- For extra heat, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the bean mixture.
- Use gluten-free tortilla chips and taco seasoning to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Adding a layer of sliced avocado or sour cream when serving can enhance the flavor.
