Layered Burrito Casserole

Look no further than this easy burrito casserole recipe to satisfy your cravings. If you like burritos but need to serve a crowd and don't have time to assemble them individually, this is the perfect solution.

With just a few ingredients, you can create this amazing casserole that will have your taste buds singing with delight. It's ready in under an hour, so you don't have to worry about spending a lot of time cooking, and most of that time is in the oven so you don't have to stand at the stove! Serve it up at your next party or gathering, and watch as your guests gobble it up!

And if you have a guest who can't have carbohydrates, then make this keto taco casserole for another option that everyone will enjoy.

rectangular light pink baking dish filled with burrito casserole

What Goes With Burrito Casserole?

This dish is so versatile, you can really serve it with just about anything. For a complete meal, pair it with a side of rice or a simple salad. A side of Mexican street corn, either on the cob or off would be a nice touch as well. I really like this simple Mexican corn salad if you want something fast and fresh.

The burrito casserole can also be served with a variety of toppings, so everyone can customize their own dish. Below are some common toppings to serve with this dish.

Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
Salsa or hot sauce
Chopped lettuce, tomato, green onion, and jalapenos.
Guacamole or cheese dip.

side of casserole with cheese on top in pink baking dish

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (500 g)
3 shallots
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 (15 oz) can of kidney beans
1 ½ cup ready-made bechamel sauce
1 cup salsa
2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 to 6 10" flour tortillas

Note: If you don't want to make a homemade bechamel sauce, I recommend the easy-to-make Knorr sauce packets for this recipe.

side of large baking dish of burrito casserole on gray tablecloth

Kitchen Tools You May Need

How To Make a Layered Burrito Casserole

Prepare the baking dish with non-stick spray on the bottom then set it aside and preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it is hot, add in the shallots, and cook them for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened.

Add in the ground beef and cook, stirring regularly to break up the meat, for 8 to 10 minutes or until it is no longer pink.

fork being used to break up ground beef in skillet

To the skillet, add taco seasoning, beans, and salsa.

tomato sauce and beans on top of cooked grund beef in skillet

Stir this together to combine, then remove it from the heat to build your casserole.

spoon stirring ground beef and beans together in skillet

In the prepared baking dish, add a layer of tortilla.

Top the tortilla with ⅓ of the meat.

spoon spreading meat into casserole dish

Then top that with another tortilla layer.

On top of the tortilla, add ⅓ of the bechamel sauce.

white sauce being spread over top of meat and casserole dish

Now, spread ⅓ of the cheese on top of the sauce.

Repeat this process, layering 2 additional times until all have been used, ending with shredded cheese.

hands sprinkling cheese on top of burrito casserole before baking

Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese has melted and the casserole is heated through.

round plate with slice of burrito casserole and half avocado in background

Time Saving Tip

Buy ground meat in bulk and cook it with just salt and black pepper to season. Drain and let it cool once cooked and crumbled, then portion into 1 pound portions and label then date to put into the freezer for up to 3 months. This saves time when cooking and can save money when purchased in bulk.

Like tips like this? Then check out my latest cookbook, The Complete Cookbook for Beginners. This book is filled with essential skills and step-by-step techniques that are ideal for new home cooks.

rectangular casserole dish filled with baked burrito casserole

Frequently Asked Questions

What Proteins Can I Add To This Casserole?

I love to make this burrito casserole with ground beef. Bringing in the flavors of my favorite tacos, this is my go-to protein. Ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork can also be used interchangeably in this recipe.

Shredded chicken or beef can both give a different texture and great flavor to this dish. Especially if using leftovers from another meal.

If you need this to be vegetarian, you can use refried beans, mushrooms, or even a TVP option such as Gardein meat crumbles from the frozen food section.

Can I Use Black Beans in Burrito Casserole?

Yes! In fact, black beans are one of my favorite things to add to this casserole. They are packed with protein and fiber, and they have a delicious earthy flavor that goes well with the other ingredients. If you would prefer another bean besides black beans, you can try using pinto beans or even lentils.

What Type of Tortillas Should I Use for Burrito Casserole?

I am using flour tortillas because it is my favorite. I will usually choose flour tortillas when I am making any Mexican recipe. You can also use corn tortillas in this burrito casserole. Corn tortillas are a bit more traditional, and they have a nice crispy texture when baked. If you are gluten-free, you can use corn tortillas or gluten-free flour tortillas.

baked layered burrito casserole in light pink baking dish

More Easy Mexican Casseroles

Whether it is authentic Mexican or one of our Tex-Mex casseroles, there are tons of great Mexican-inspired dishes to choose from to add to your menu. Below are a few more favorite dishes that fit that flavor profile. Bookmark the recipes, print out the recipes, or pin them to a casserole board on your Pinterest account to make them soon.

Yield: 6

Layered Burrito Casserole

A layered burrito casserole is a perfect weeknight meal ready in under an hour and loaded with meat, beans, cheese, and tortilla!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (500 g)
3 shallots, diced
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 (15 oz) can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 ½ cup ready-made bechamel sauce
1 cup salsa
2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 10" flour tortillas

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and spray the bottom of the baking dish with non-stick spray then set it aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat then add the shallots and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add in the ground beef and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
To the beef, add taco seasoning, kidney beans, and salsa. Stir together well to combine. Remove from heat.
Place 1 to 2 tortillas on the bottom of the casserole dish (just enough to cover the bottom of the pan).
Spread ⅓ of the meat over the tortilla. Then cover the meat with a tortilla layer. Next, spread ⅓ of the bechamel sauce over the tortilla. Top this with ⅓ of the cheese.
Repeat these layers of meat, tortilla, sauce, and cheese until you have 3 layers. Finish with cheese over the top.
Bake for 20-minutes until heated through and the cheese is melting and browned.