I assumed everyone probably already knew about Mexican Casserole because it was one of the first things I ever learned how to cook other than Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper.
I adore this recipe because it’s easy. Plus, I always have all these ingredients on hand so when I realize it’s 5:30 and I’ve spent all day doing other productive things, such as picking out the right shade of polish to paint my toes, it’s a great last minute solution.
Mexican Casserole
1 lb. ground chuck (we use ground venison at our house because we live off the land)
1 chopped onion
15 oz. can Ranch Style beans
1 can cream of mushroom soup (we use 98% fat free to counteract all the powdered Donettes)
1 can Rotel (if you want major heartburn, use the Extra Hot version)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
Tortilla chips
1 pound grated cheddar
Brown beef and onions. Drain grease. Add beans, soup, Rotel, salt, chili powder and simmer for 10 minutes. Line greased casserole dish with chips and half of cheese. Spoon half of beef mixture on top of chips. Repeat layers. Sprinkle more cheese on top. Bake at 300 for 30 minutes.
I usually serve this with a side of guacamole and flour tortillas. Unless the avocadoes I bought on Monday aren’t ripe, in which case I just serve it with Zantac.
I find that having creative side dish options opens up a whole world of culinary possibilities. And really, like plaid, Zantac goes with everything.
I also find that repeating myself either makes me seem authoritative or, you know, senile.
And some fried ice cream, please
Drain grease? where’s the fun in that…
Oh my that is some serious goodness there. I do not feel the calories are high enough so I might have to add a bowl of queso on the side.
How does this freeze? I am always looking for good dishes I can make ahead and freeze for my Feller and he likes spicy dishes. (He works out of state and I make his food for him, a month at a time. ‘Cause I am just thoughtful and all)
Sounds yummy and since I am currently eating chips with my sister’s homemade HOT salsa, pass that Zantac, will ya’?
This is one of the first recipes I learned as well. Mine is a bit different, though, but called the same thing. I omit the ranch style beans and use chicken instead of beef/venison. I serve w/ a crazy ranch style bean “salad” complete w/ french dressing, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, chopped bell/red peppers and onions. Yum, yum! I might have to remember the side of Zantac, though!
I have never made this before……..sounds great.
Putting Zantac on the list.
I have never had a casserole in my life.
I kid not.
I have never had a casserole in my life.
I kid not.
That sounds so good. I make something similar but instead of the chips, there is a layer of cornbread on top. Zantac goes well with it, too. Thanks for the recipe! And I love your bangs!
That you always have a pound of cheese on hand makes my heart swell a little.
ooh, sounds too yummy!!
thanks for posting the recipe. I’m all about easy dishes to make.
http://www.snappycasualgifts.blogspot.com
Sounds yummy yet very foreign for my Northern Canadian roots!
Not sure if you have heard of this but I ripen my avacado’s by putting them in a paper bag overnight. They are ready to smash up the next day.
Holy smokes! I have all that stuff! Not only do I have all that stuff, I have all that stuff and I have practically nothing else! You know what we’re havin’ for dinner tomorrow night!
Oh my, maybe my mother-in-law was right when she gave me a cookbook entitled “Clueless in the Kitchen”, because I have no clue what on earth ranch style beans are!
Can you help a domestically-challenged sister out?
Can someone fill me on on what “Rotel” is? I live in So Cal and cook Mexican all the time, yet I’ve never heard of it!
Ro-tel is a brand name but it is canned tomatoes (usually diced) with green chilis and onions. My boys think Ranch Style (also a brand name) beans are a vegetable and we argue about it regularly. I’m assuming you do not drain the beans for this recipe(?). Love the bangs!
Do we have “ranch style beans” in Ohio? I have no idea what they are. Boo Mama only recently taught us what Rotel was! What to do with the Northerners?!
Correction: Ro*tel (with a star rather than a hyphen) does not contain onions. Interesting information on their webpage: http://www.texmex.net/Rotel/main.htm which also contains many recipes.
Similar products are widely available now in your local “store brand”. Also Hunt’s sells a can of petite diced tomatoes with mild green chilis which would work also.
Thanks for the recipe! I can’t wait to try it!
Hey. I love your blog and read it everyday. I am in Kentucky and have went to the grocery and cannot find ranch style beans. Can you explain what they are so I can substitute something in this casserole.
Thanks,
Amber
Made this for my husband tonight and he looooooved it (imagine me singing that last part.) It’s definitely being added to our regular rotation of “Crud, what do I make for dinner so that I don’t feel like a crappy wife?” dinners. Thanks!
This sounds great! I copied it to try soon! And we’ll have the extra hot version, thank you very muchly. 😉
I remember your guacamole! I can’t make it. Something so simple, and yet, I have to buy the pre-made stuff from the store. I consider myself “domestically-challenged.” I’ll prepare a tax return blind-folded, but I can’t pick out curtains!!! Here’s a good example. When S and I were starting to get serious, I decided to clean up his apartment and cook him dinner. I think I made something really difficult like spaghetti and meatballs with sauce from a jar. Then I decided to do the dishes. I grabbed the ziplock bag of detergent from under the counter (bachelor, remember), and put it in the dishwasher. Apparently, it was laundry detergent. The give-away was the flood of bubbles throughout the apartment, reminiscent of the fountains at A&M when someone put detergent in them. And yet, 15 years later, I am still the one doing the dishes.