Skip to main content

Tortilla Casserole

Warm and cheesy meal with bright salsa and fresh cilantro.
Cooking for a Crowd

Cooking for a Crowd

Use these recipe sheets to prepare for larger groups:

Saucy casserole slice on a plate.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Makes: 12 wedges
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 cup medium salsa (try Food Hero's Salsa Roja or Salsa Verde)
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained (or 1 cup frozen corn, thawed)
½ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
4 whole-wheat tortillas, 10-inch diameter
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheese (try Monterey Jack or Mexican blend)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Lightly oil or spray a 10-inch casserole dish.
  4. In a small bowl, mix salsa and tomato sauce.
  5. In a medium bowl, mix black beans, corn and cilantro.
  6. Place 1 tortilla in baking dish and spread ¼ of salsa mixture over tortilla. Top with ⅓ of bean mixture and ⅓ of cheese.
  7. Repeat layering 2 more times; spread last of salsa mixture over top of last tortilla.
  8. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until cheese melts and filling is hot.
  9. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. 

Notes

  • Try kidney or pinto beans instead of black beans.
  • Add leftover cooked chicken, turkey or ground beef.
  • Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 ½ to 1 ¾ cups drained beans.

Comments

I tried TeresaP's comment and used small corn tortillas and it worked so well!  Really tasted like an enchilada, but WOW how fast is this recipe??  It really took less than 15 minutes to fully get into the oven, this is perfect after work meal to prep.  And it is so adaptable to what you have in the pantry.  Oh and we sprinkled chopped black olives on top and a bit of low-fat sour cream.

From OSU Test Kitchen: We tested the Tortilla Casserole at 500 degrees F and 350 degrees F. Both work well. The lower temperature takes a little longer but at either temperature between 15-25 minutes the dish turns out very similar. 

For those that have prepared this recipe, is the baking temperature really 500 degrees?

Quick, tasty recipe! I used 8 small corn tortillas instead of whole wheat and added 1 cup of chopped cooked turkey (leftover from Thanksgiving) seasoned with cumin and cayenne.  Next time I will add some bell pepper and green onion too!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Blueberry Tofu Smoothie
Tofu blended with a mix of fruits makes a creamy smoothie in a glass.

Blueberry Tofu Smoothie

Kid-approved, this dairy-free smoothie is super quick to make for a tasty breakfast or snack.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Stovetop Sorghum
Big bowl of small sorghum pellets.

Stovetop Sorghum

This nutrient-rich grain has a sweet and nutty flavor.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
1 hour
Makes:
2 ½ cups
Savory Sweet Potatoes
Heavily seasoned cubed sweet potatoes.

Savory Sweet Potatoes

A sweet and savory dish with hearty sweet potatoes and Italian seasonings. Ready in under an hour.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
2 ½ cups
Bulgur Pilaf
Mix of bulgur with savory vegetables is displayed in a serving dish.

Bulgur Pilaf

A warm and comforting meal combining whole grains and savory broth to make a simple, yet tasty side dish.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups
Banana Bobs
A fork is used to dip chunks of banana into yogurt and then into granola for a simple snack.

Banana Bobs

Easy snack or dessert with creamy yogurt, banana and whole-grain oats. A fun and creative recipe for kids!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
2 Servings
Black-Eyed Peas and Quinoa Salad
Bowl of Black-Eyed Peas and Quinoa Salad.

Black-Eyed Peas and Quinoa Salad

Enjoy this main dish or side salad that is full of flavor, color, texture and nutrients.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
7 cups