Satisfy Your Cravings with a Hearty Mexican-Inspired Casserole for Dad

Ingredients

• One pound of ground beef
• Diced yellow onion measuring a quarter cup
• A can of diced tomatoes infused with green chile peppers, at 10 ounces
• Black beans from an 8-ounce can, rinsed and drained
• A cup of picante sauce for an added kick
• A packet of taco seasoning weighing one ounce
• A spritz of nonstick cooking spray for the pan
• Four 7-inch flour tortillas for layering
• One and a half cups of Monterey Jack cheese, split into portions
• One and a half cups of pepper Jack cheese, also divided
• Three cups of crushed tortilla chips, divided
• Aluminum foil to cover the dish while baking
• Half a cup of freshly chopped green onion
• Half a cup of chopped cilantro for a burst of freshness
• Sour cream for topping, around a quarter cup to your taste

Step 1

Begin by warming up a generously sized nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Toss in some ground beef and onion, sizzling and stirring until beautifully browned and crumbly, which should take around 5 to 7 minutes. Lower the heat, then mix in diced tomatoes, black beans, zesty picante sauce, and your favorite taco seasoning. Let it all simmer until most of the liquid has danced away, approximately 20 minutes.

Step 2

In the meantime, get your oven all fired up to a cozy 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Get a 9x13-inch baking dish ready by giving it a nice spray with cooking oil.

Step 3

Lay out flour tortillas in the baking dish, slightly overlapping to create a cozy nest. Spoon the savory beef mixture over the tortillas, then generously sprinkle 3/4 cup each of Monterey Jack and pepper Jack cheese, plus a satisfying layer of crushed tortilla chips. Cover the dish with foil.

Step 4

Slide the dish into the waiting oven for a leisurely 25 minutes. When ready, take it out and uncover it, then sprinkle on the remaining cheeses and tortilla chips. Pop it back into the oven until the cheese melts and bubbles, usually around 8 to 10 minutes. Finish off with a sprinkle of fresh green onion and cilantro, and serve alongside some creamy sour cream.