After a long day of biking and hiking in the mountains, my family wanted nothing more than comforting, hearty food. I decided to make a Mexican casserole I hadn’t prepared in a while. I stopped at the grocery store and picked up ingredients that would keep the dish flavorful but a bit lighter—though you can substitute regular versions if you prefer.
Mexican Casserole (serves 6–8)
Ingredients:
2 pounds ground turkey
1 (19 oz) can enchilada sauce (I used Old El Paso)
1 (15 oz) can Mexican stewed tomatoes or Rotel
1 bag Baked Doritos
2 (2-cup) bags shredded cheddar cheese (I used fat-free)
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
1 (15 oz) can yellow corn, drained
1 jar taco sauce (about 15 oz)
1 (16 oz) container light sour cream
Directions:
1. Brown the ground turkey in a skillet with the taco sauce. Adding sauce while cooking helps the turkey stay moist and develop a texture closer to ground beef; cooking turkey dry tends to leave it bland and dry.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
3. Crumble about three-quarters of the bag of Baked Doritos and spread them evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish to form the first layer.
4. Spread the cooked turkey over the Doritos. Sprinkle one bag (about 2 cups) of shredded cheddar over the turkey, then drizzle some enchilada sauce on top. You don’t need to saturate the meat—just enough to add flavor and moisture.
5. Evenly add the stewed tomatoes, then the drained corn and black beans.
6. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the layered ingredients.
7. Spread the light sour cream across the top of the casserole. This creates a creamy layer that complements the salsa and enchilada flavors.
8. Sprinkle the remaining crushed Baked Doritos on top, then finish with the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
9. Cover the casserole and bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 30–45 minutes, or until the edges begin to bubble and the cheese has melted. If you’re using fat-free cheese, covering the dish while heating is important because it melts differently than full-fat cheese and retains moisture better under a cover.
Taste and Serving Notes:
This casserole is satisfying and adaptable. You can swap ingredients to suit your family’s preferences—ground beef or chicken can replace turkey, and regular chips or tortilla chips can replace Baked Doritos. The layers of crunchy chips, seasoned turkey, beans, corn, and cheese create a balanced combination of textures and flavors.
Leftovers keep well and are great for reheating; some family members even enjoy cold slices for breakfast. While it isn’t a delicate, picture-perfect dish, it’s reliably delicious and popular at family dinners—seconds and thirds are common at our table.
If you try this Mexican casserole, I’d love to hear how your family enjoyed it and any variations you made. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing meal that comes together quickly and delivers comforting, bold flavors.