This Cattle Drive Casserole is a Tex-Mex-inspired hearty meal that your entire family will enjoy. With a ground taco-flavored ground beef filling that is topped with a layer of chips and gooey melty cheese it's a dish that is sure to please!
This kid-friendly casserole is the ultimate comfort food. It's the perfect meal for a cold day. You only need a handful of simple ingredients so you don't have to worry about trying to track down specialty ingredients.
Prep this casserole before you leave for work and bake it when you return home, which makes it great for busy days!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 bell peppers chopped, I used red and green - so pretty!
- 15 ounce can corn kernels drained
- 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 14.5 ounce diced fire roasted tomatoes diced tomatoes with green chiles, do not drain
- 4 ounce can diced green chiles
- 1 ounce taco seasoning mix
- 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups crushed tortilla chips
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: sour cream chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Stir in the corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning mix. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the beef mixture. Spread the crushed tortilla chips evenly over the cheese layer.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tortilla chips are golden brown and crispy.
- Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with optional toppings such as sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños if desired.
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Nutrition
Variations
- Add more flavor to the meat mixture by adding a dash of garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, black pepper, or even red pepper flakes.
- Often this casserole has a layer of garlic bread. I prefer this recipe with tortilla chips. That way it doesn't get soggy!
- Not a fan of beef? Use ground turkey, chicken or even your favorite veggie scramble instead.
Storage
Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container, or covered it with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
You can freeze this dish before or after cooking. Wrap well and store in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
Reheat - Reheat the leftover casserole in the oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or you can also reheat individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Related recipes
- If you are a big fan of old cowboy movies you may also enjoy this John Wayne Casserole recipe. It's another tasty cattle drive recipe that your whole family will rave about.
- Are you looking for new recipes to add to your meal plan for your family? If so, check out these Easy Chicken Casserole recipes, there is a recipe in here for everyone!
- This Chicken Pot Pie Casseroles takes a simple can of crescent rolls and turns them into a buttery crust that makes this dish downright crave-worthy.
- Cowboy Cornbread Casserole is another hearty and filling casserole that is perfect for a family dinner. It's loaded with ground beef, corn, beans, and cheese - everything you could want in one dish!
Serve with
- I love to pair this great dish with a simple green side salad like this Outback Wedge Salad. You can't get anything easier than a salad!
- Do you want something fresh, healthy, and green to pair with this meal? Check out these Three Ingredient Steamed Green Beans or these Steamed Brussel Sprouts.
- I love to end a hearty and comforting meal like this one with a rich and chocolatey dessert like this Better Than Sex Cake.
There’s a reason Cattle Drive Casserole has stood the test of time—it’s easy, filling, and always hits the spot. If your crew loves bold, comforting flavors and simple ingredients, this one’s a keeper!
Give it a try and let me know how it goes in the comments below! And if you’re always on the hunt for more no-fuss dinner ideas, be sure to subscribe to the blog or follow along on Pinterest for more easy recipes like this one.
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