Description
This Mexican White Trash Casserole is a hearty and flavorful baked dish featuring seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes with green chilies, creamy soups, and a crunchy topping of crushed Doritos and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this casserole combines Tex-Mex flavors with an easy-to-make layered preparation that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
Topping
- 1 bag (10–12 oz) Doritos (Nacho Cheese or Cool Ranch), crushed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is fully browned and the onions are soft. Drain any excess grease to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Season Meat: Stir in the taco seasoning packet and 1/2 cup water with the cooked beef and onion. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly, concentrating the flavors.
- Add Creamy Ingredients: To the skillet, add the undrained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir thoroughly until everything is well combined and heated through to create a creamy, cheesy meat filling.
- Assemble Casserole: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the crushed Doritos evenly on the bottom. Pour the beef mixture over the chips and spread it out smoothly. Top with the remaining crushed Doritos and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is fully melted and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set for easier slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or shredded chicken instead of ground beef for a lighter or different protein option.
- For extra heat, add chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture or use a spicy taco seasoning packet.
- This casserole is an excellent make-ahead dish; it reheats well in the microwave or oven.
- Use your favorite Doritos flavor for a unique twist, but Nacho Cheese or Cool Ranch work best for traditional taste.
