Spicy Mexican Beef Bake
  • 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours
  • Makes 8 servings
  • Entrée

Spicy Mexican Beef Bake

This hearty Mexican casserole features layers of Ground Beef, black beans, vegetables and corn tortillas.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef (95% lean)
  • 3 cans (10 ounces each) mild enchilada sauce, about 3-3/4 cups, divided
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed, drained
  • 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/3 cup diced celery
  • 1/3 cup diced onion
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 15 corn tortillas (6 to 7-inch diameter)
  • 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
  • Reduced-fat dairy sour cream (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 400°F. Combine enchilada sauce and brown sugar in large bowl, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.

  2. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 1/2-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Pour off drippings, if necessary.

    Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

  3. Stir in 2-1/2 cups sauce mixture, beans, bell pepper, celery, onion and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  4. Spray 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spread half of remaining sauce mixture over bottom of baking dish. Arrange 5 tortillas over sauce in dish, overlapping slightly; top with 1/2 of beef mixture and 1/4 cup cheese. Repeat layers once, using all remaining beef mixture, 5 tortillas and 1/4 cup cheese. Top with remaining 5 tortillas and sauce mixture, spreading sauce evenly to moisten tortillas. Reserve remaining 1/2 cup cheese.

  5. Cover dish with foil. Bake in 400°F oven 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through and bubbly. Remove foil; sprinkle with reserved cheese. Bake, uncovered, 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand, uncovered, 10 minutes. Cut into 8 servings. Serve with sour cream, if desired.

  • Test Kitchen Tips Use a potato masher to break up Ground Beef into small crumbles while browning.