Easy Beef Tortilla Bake (Cheesy Tex-Mex Casserole)
Looking for a cozy and flavorful dish to brighten your day? This Beef Tortilla Bake combines the heartiness of ground beef, warm spices, and tangy enchilada sauce, all wrapped in soft tortillas and topped with melty Colby Jack cheese. It’s easy to prepare and packed with bold Mexican-inspired flavors that will impress your family and friends. The green chilis add a mild kick, while the fresh cilantro gives it a burst of freshness. Perfect for a quick weekday dinner or a casual gathering, this comforting bake will easily become a favorite!
Equipment
12-inch skillet
9x13 inch (23x33cm) baking dish
Aluminium foil
Wooden spoon
Cheese grater (if using block cheese)
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef - minced beef, about 450g
1 medium yellow onion - coarsely chopped, about 1 cup / 150g
2 cans stewed tomatoes - 14.5 oz / 411g each
1-2 teaspoons cumin - ground
½ teaspoon salt - to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper - to taste- 1 cup red enchilada sauce - 240ml
12 small flour tortillas - 6-inch / 15cm
4 oz cream cheese - softened, 115g
1 can green chilis (green chilli in British English) - (diced) drained, 4 oz / 113g
1 cup Colby Jack cheese - shredded, 115g
½ cup cilantro - (fresh) roughly chopped, for garnish, 25g
Instructions
- Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until the beef is browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.1 pound ground beef, 1 medium yellow onion
- Add the stewed tomatoes, ground cumin, salt, pepper, and enchilada sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine.2 cans stewed tomatoes, 1-2 teaspoons cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 cup red enchilada sauce
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and simmer gently. Cover the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Spread approximately two-thirds of the meat sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9x13 inch (23x33cm) baking dish. Set the remaining sauce aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C (180°C fan-forced). Stack the tortillas, wrap them tightly in aluminium foil, and warm in the oven for 10 minutes until pliable.12 small flour tortillas
- Remove the warm tortillas from the oven. Spread about 1 teaspoon of softened cream cheese down the centre of each tortilla, then add a small spoonful of drained green chilis.4 oz cream cheese, 1 can green chilis (green chilli in British English)
- Fold each filled tortilla in half and arrange them in a single overlapping layer on top of the meat sauce in the baking dish. Pour the remaining meat sauce evenly over the tortillas.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminium foil and bake at 350°F / 175°C (180°C fan-forced) for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven uncovered for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.1 cup Colby Jack cheese
- Remove from the oven and scatter the chopped fresh cilantro over the top. Serve immediately while hot.½ cup cilantro
Notes
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave at 50% power for 2-3 minutes, or reheat the whole dish covered at 325°F / 160°C for 15-20 minutes.
Freezer-friendly: Wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Make-ahead: Assemble the entire bake up to 24 hours in advance, cover with cling film, and refrigerate. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if going straight from the fridge to the oven.
Substitutions: Swap Colby Jack for Monterey Jack or sharp cheddar. Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version. Corn tortillas work well if you prefer a gluten-free option.
Pro tip: Brown the ground beef in batches without overcrowding the skillet — this gives you a deeper, caramelised flavour instead of steamed, grey meat.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 593kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 27gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 1605mgPotassium: 679mgFiber: 5gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1094IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 333mgIron: 6mg
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