When you’re craving a cozy, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish, look no further than Crinkle Tortilla Casserole. This recipe is the ultimate comfort food—layers of crispy tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, and gooey cheese come together to create the perfect casserole that’s packed with flavor. It’s a family-friendly meal that’s sure to satisfy your hunger and leave everyone coming back for seconds. If you’re looking for a dish that’s quick to prepare and delivers big on taste, this is your go-to.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
Crinkle Tortilla Casserole is one of those dishes that’s as simple to make as it is delicious. The crispy crinkle-cut tortilla chips create the perfect texture, while the seasoned ground beef adds savory depth to the layers. Melted cheese binds it all together, giving you that irresistible gooey factor. This casserole is comforting, filling, and incredibly versatile—you can easily add your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or salsa to elevate the dish even more. It’s great for busy weeknights, potlucks, or when you’re craving a tasty Tex-Mex meal.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
- 1 cup beef broth (or water)
- 4 cups crinkle-cut tortilla chips
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
- Jalapeño slices (optional, for garnish)
You can find the full list of ingredients below.
Directions
1. Brown the Ground Beef
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up into small pieces as it browns. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the beef is fully cooked and browned. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Once the beef is cooked, add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
3. Add the Seasonings and Simmer
Stir in the taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Pour in the beef broth (or water) and stir everything together. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
4. Assemble the Casserole
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of crinkle-cut tortilla chips to cover the bottom. Spoon half of the beef mixture evenly over the chips, followed by half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Repeat the layering with the remaining chips, beef mixture, and cheese.
5. Bake the Casserole
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
6. Serve and Garnish
Once the casserole is done, remove it from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. If you like, top with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of chopped green onions, and a few slices of jalapeño for some extra flavor and heat.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Make it Spicy: If you like a little more heat, add some chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture while it’s simmering. You can also use a spicier taco seasoning or add a dash of hot sauce to the beef.
- Use Homemade Taco Seasoning: If you don’t have a packet of taco seasoning on hand, you can make your own by combining chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Add Veggies: If you want to sneak in some vegetables, add diced bell peppers, zucchini, or even spinach to the beef mixture while sautéing the onions and garlic. This adds flavor and nutrition to the dish.
- Crispy Tortillas: For an extra crispy topping, sprinkle a few additional tortilla chips on top of the casserole during the last 5 minutes of baking. This will give you an extra crunch that contrasts beautifully with the melted cheese.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Vegetarian Version: To make this casserole vegetarian, swap out the ground beef for black beans or a combination of black beans and corn. You can also add a plant-based ground meat alternative for a similar texture.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with different cheese combinations. Pepper Jack cheese will give your casserole a little extra kick, or you could add some crumbled queso fresco for a more authentic flavor.
- Toppings: This casserole is incredibly versatile when it comes to toppings. You can serve it with your favorite salsa, guacamole, or even a fresh cilantro garnish. Some people love a squeeze of lime juice on top for a zesty touch.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Crinkle Tortilla Casserole is delicious on its own, but you can also pair it with a simple side salad or some Mexican street corn (elote) for a full meal. If you’re looking for a little more crunch, try serving it with tortilla chips and salsa on the side. For drinks, a chilled margarita or a cold beer would complement the bold flavors of the casserole perfectly.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Leftovers of Crinkle Tortilla Casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave for a few minutes, or place it back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until heated through. If the casserole seems a bit dry after reheating, add a small splash of water or beef broth to restore its moisture.
4 FAQs
1. Can I use regular tortilla chips instead of crinkle-cut?
Yes, you can definitely use regular tortilla chips if that’s what you have on hand. The crinkle-cut chips are just for texture, but any tortilla chip will work.
2. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the casserole a day ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and bake as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the casserole is cold from the fridge.
3. Can I freeze Crinkle Tortilla Casserole?
Yes, this casserole freezes beautifully! Assemble it in a freezer-safe dish and cover tightly. Freeze for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake according to the directions.
4. Can I use chicken instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! You can swap the ground beef for shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breast for a lighter version of the casserole. It’s a great way to use up leftovers.
Conclusion
Crinkle Tortilla Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that’s easy to make and always satisfying. The combination of crispy tortilla chips, seasoned beef, and gooey cheese is hard to resist. Plus, it’s a versatile dish that you can adjust to your tastes and preferences. Whether you’re serving it to your family on a busy weeknight or bringing it to a potluck, this casserole will always be a hit. It’s a perfect meal to bring everyone to the table and enjoy together!
Print
Crinkle Tortilla Casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole, Tex-Mex
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Description
A cozy and flavorful comfort food, Crinkle Tortilla Casserole combines crispy tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, and gooey melted cheese. This one-pot wonder is perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks, and it’s sure to please the whole family!
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
- 1 cup beef broth (or water)
- 4 cups crinkle-cut tortilla chips
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
- Jalapeño slices (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the ground beef for 5-7 minutes until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed. - Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. - Add the Seasonings and Simmer:
Stir in taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Add beef broth (or water), stir, and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. - Assemble the Casserole:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer crinkle-cut tortilla chips, half the beef mixture, and half of the shredded cheeses. Repeat the layers. - Bake the Casserole:
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted. - Serve and Garnish:
Let the casserole sit for a few minutes. Top with sour cream, green onions, and jalapeño slices if desired.
Notes
- Make it Spicy: Add jalapeños, spicy taco seasoning, or hot sauce to the beef mixture for an extra kick.
- Add Veggies: Mix in diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach for added nutrition.
- Crispy Tortillas: Add extra tortilla chips on top in the last 5 minutes of baking for more crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of casserole
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 50mg