Mexican White Trash Casserole
A cheesy, crowd-pleasing comfort casserole with layers of tortilla chips, seasoned beef, refried beans, salsa, and melty Mexican cheese—topped with all your favorite fixings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Main Components:
1 bag (9–10 oz) tortilla chips, lightly crushed
1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
1 packet taco seasoning
1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
1 can (15 oz) refried beans
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
Optional Garnishes:
Sour cream
Guacamole
Diced tomatoes
Sliced black olives
Chopped green onions
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Brown the meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until fully browned (6–8 minutes). Drain excess grease.
Add flavor: Stir in taco seasoning and salsa. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Start layering: Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips across the bottom of the prepared dish.
Add beans and meat: Spoon refried beans over the chips, followed by half of the seasoned meat.
First cheese layer: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly on top.
Repeat layers: Add remaining chips, the rest of the meat mixture, and finish with the last cup of shredded cheese.
Bake: Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.
Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes. Add your favorite toppings and serve warm.
Notes
Lightly crushing the chips helps retain texture and prevents sogginess.
Adjust heat level by using spicy salsa or hot taco seasoning.
This casserole is easily customizable with add-ins like corn, black beans, or jalapeños.
Find it online: https://elladishes.com/mexican-white-trash/
