Here’s another one of my mom’s recipes. She’s made this one for as long as I can remember and my family has always loved it! Mexican Casserole. It’s super easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. If you ever need a dish for a large crowd, I’d recommend this one- you can double or triple the recipe and even make it ahead of time. My mom makes a big one and freezes the leftovers- it keeps beautifully! Perfect for potlucks, Mexican-themed dinner parties or even Sunday Night Football!
My Mom’s Mexican Casserole
1 pound lean ground beef
1 can Ranch Style beans
1 10-12 ounce bag tortilla chips, crushed
1 can Ro-tel tomatoes
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 package taco seasoning
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup water
sour cream and salsa for serving
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large skillet, brown meat and drain off fat. Stir in beans, tomatoes, onion, taco seasoning, soup and water. Simmer over medium-low heat until everything is well combined and heated through.
Grease a 9×13 casserole dish. Put down a layer of crushed tortilla chips, followed by a layer of the meat/bean mixture, then half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat layers. Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until bubbly.
Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with sour cream and salsa. Enjoy!
Ranch style beans. I believe they are kidney beans that have been stewed and seasoned. Ro-tel tomatoes are dices tomatoes with green chiles.
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Shim Reply:
September 15th, 2016 at 1:31 PM
Madam: They are definitely NOT kidney beans. Any person that lives in the Southwest would never consider using kidney beans which is used mostly in the Northeast. Ro-tel are diced tomatoes and green chilies. The store brand is the same, but not as expensive.
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amy Reply:
September 15th, 2016 at 1:35 PM
You’re a little touchy about your beans, dude.
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Comment by amy — April 27, 2013 @ 6:59 PM
gives a new idea to Hamburger helper
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Comment by George Greene — April 27, 2013 @ 11:43 PM
This looks nice I’ll have to make it!
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Comment by Sandy — April 28, 2013 @ 1:47 AM
Amy,
Ranch Style Beans came from Texas where I spent 30 years of my life. And they are NOT Kidney Beans, but PINTOS. Pinto Beans are a LOT different from Kidney Beans, btw.
Thanks,
Trish Wall
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amy Reply:
May 7th, 2013 at 10:14 AM
So glad to know this important information. I’ve been losing sleep over it.
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TrishW Reply:
December 30th, 2013 at 11:44 AM
As my grandson would say, Amy. You SO funny! Thanks for your great recipe, btw!
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Comment by TastyTrish — May 7, 2013 @ 9:02 AM
Made this last night and my husband went crazy over it. He’s hard to please, but this recipe really did the job. Loved the Mexican flavors. Thank you for a great one!!!!
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Comment by anne m. — May 7, 2013 @ 11:00 AM
Do you drain the rotel and beans? It doesn’t specify in the recipe. Thanks. 🙂
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amy Reply:
July 2nd, 2013 at 8:07 PM
Yes, go ahead and drain them first.
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Comment by Jessie — July 2, 2013 @ 4:39 PM
Just wondering… I am on Weight Watchers and cannot find the nutritional facts for this recipe or how many points it is. I just was wondering if anyone might know this? Thanks.
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amy Reply:
July 18th, 2013 at 7:41 PM
Girl, I’m not gonna lie- this probably isn’t a very WW-friendly recipe. But, you could easily adjust it to make it a little healthier. Sorry, I have no idea what the nutritional info is.
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Comment by price of internet tvs — July 20, 2013 @ 7:48 PM
How liquid-y should this be when meat and all ingredients combined? Not sure I made this right
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amy Reply:
October 26th, 2013 at 3:22 PM
It will be pretty soupy when you put it in the oven, but after baking, it’ll firm up.
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Delladot Reply:
December 29th, 2013 at 3:20 PM
Everyone said they loved this dish. We did also, the flavors are wonderful together. Just one thing, mine was not soupy when I put it together. And it seemed that the tortilla chips sucked up any juice there was. I only drained the beans, and not the Rotel. Can you recommend anything to add that will make this a little juicier? I will make this again, but I think I will cut way back on the tortilla chips.
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amy Reply:
December 30th, 2013 at 3:12 PM
Hmm, maybe try less chips next time of you want it a little more moist. That’s all I can think of!
Comment by Linda — October 26, 2013 @ 3:03 PM
This really looks good, but my print preview says it will take 13 pages. Too much ink! So many recipes takes that many pages, not just yours….
JB
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Judy Baumann Reply:
February 22nd, 2014 at 1:12 PM
June B., if you go in there and highlight just the recipe part, then when you tell it to print, tell it to print selection only, not pages, it will print just that recipe part that you selected.
Hope that helps.
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Comment by June B, — November 3, 2013 @ 3:40 PM
sounds like a good dish I like cooking casserole.
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Comment by alice bennett — December 3, 2013 @ 7:23 PM
I have made this many times. I have added sliced black olives and some green chilis just to add more color.
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amy Reply:
December 7th, 2013 at 4:36 PM
Those sound like great additions!
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Comment by Carol — December 7, 2013 @ 4:22 PM
I substituted torn chunks of 3 chicken breasts. Made a triple recipe for a group Christmas Eve. Also had basic chili. The group overwhelmingly chose the chicken!
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Comment by Lola Fraser — December 28, 2013 @ 1:21 PM
OMG!! I just read this recipe for the first time! I’ve been making this casserole, but with chicken and green chilis, and cr. of mushroom/chicken soups since 1971!! It’s a favorite. I never even thought to make a ground beef variation all these years! I’m positive that it’s good, though. Thanks for the recipe, Amy! And I’m so glad you promote Ranch Beans. I’m shocked that not many over here in Alabama have even heard of them! A displaced Texan, Trish
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amy Reply:
December 30th, 2013 at 3:13 PM
Yeah, this recipe has been around for a long time! I need to try your chicken version! Happy new year!
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Lavinia S. Reply:
September 27th, 2015 at 4:04 AM
how about trying the chicken and let us know how much (can’t eat beef). Thanks!
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Comment by TrishW — December 30, 2013 @ 11:39 AM
In the oven now – I didn’t drain anything and it’s perfect – also used hot & spicy taco seasoning as we like it spicy, added some garlic powder to the hamburger meat and used pico de gallo instead of just plain onion – smells so wonderful! Thanks for sharing
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Comment by Ruth — January 17, 2014 @ 7:23 PM
I have made a variation of this and it is very good….I serve each serving with the toppings you would put in a taco…
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Comment by Kathy — February 21, 2014 @ 11:46 AM
I got here through a pin on Pinterest. I don’t know that I have seen this type of casserole before, but it sounds delicious! I have it in the oven right now. I sauteed my onions before I browned the ground beef, and I didn’t have ranch beans, so I used pintos. I also didn’t have a taco seasoning packet, so I threw together some spices (cumin, chili powder, garlic, paprika, salt, flour, and a tiny little bit of sugar to round out the flavor); it tasted pretty good before going in the pan. I didn’t add any water because it seemed wet enough without it. Also, I didn’t use as many chips, because my family likes the crunchiness of the chips – so I have the rest of the bag in a bowl on the table to accompany dinner. Thanks for the recipe. I am sure I’ll be using it again!
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amy Reply:
May 19th, 2014 at 5:22 PM
That all sounds great! I don’t actually use taco seasoning packets anymore- like you, I make my own. I hope your family enjoys it!
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Comment by Kristie — May 19, 2014 @ 3:56 PM
I am from Canada. What are Ro-Tel beans and Ranch Style Beans – we don’t have them up here even in the Mexican section of the grocery store. Can you explain what they are and maybe I can find some kind of substitute ???
Thanks,
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amy Reply:
June 17th, 2014 at 12:12 PM
Sure. Ro-tel tomatoes are just canned tomatoes with chopped green chiles mixed in. You could substitute with a can of plain chopped tomatoes and a small can of chopped green chiles (or even fresh chiles). Ranch style beans are just seasoned pinto beans. You could use any canned beans you like- black, pinto, etc. Maybe just add a little extra seasoning.
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Barbara Reply:
June 17th, 2014 at 3:00 PM
Thank you for your help. I have a party to go to Saturday and I think I will make this recipe to take.
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Val Reply:
August 26th, 2016 at 8:22 PM
I live in southern Alberta, and we cross-border shop all the time. We go to a small town called however, Montana. You can get them at the Walmart store there. However, you could simply use canned tomatoes add some sauteed onions and jalapeño peppers with some of the seeds for heat. If that’s not hot enough, add some Sarachi sauce..
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Val Reply:
August 26th, 2016 at 8:26 PM
That was supposed to be Havre, Montana, NOT however. Darn talk texting! Lol
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Comment by Barbara — June 17, 2014 @ 11:31 AM
Going to make this, but vegetarian style. Substitute the hamburger with soy crumbles (frozen food dept), and replace cream of chicken soup with cream of celery or mushroom soup!
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Comment by Debbie — July 23, 2014 @ 8:15 PM
Could you please tell me what “ranch-style beans” are??
Anxious to try this recipe, so I appreciate your help!
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amy Reply:
October 11th, 2014 at 8:20 PM
They are just seasoned pinto beans
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Comment by Pam S — October 11, 2014 @ 7:19 PM
Boyfriend cooked it for me tonight and it was awesome! And I hate casseroles
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Comment by cez — May 5, 2015 @ 11:34 PM
Why does the previous page that you pin say if you like taters tots you’ll really like this?
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Rachella Reply:
November 15th, 2015 at 1:22 PM
I was wondering the same thing! Lol
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Comment by Julie — August 31, 2015 @ 7:43 PM
I hate to ask this but I am one of the people that has no idea what Ranch Beans are. Would someone please enlighten me as I would love to make this casserole.
Thanks,
Joy
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Robin Reply:
October 26th, 2015 at 11:03 AM
Joy, Ranch Beans are kidney/pinto style beans that have a chili style sauce. We find Ranch Beans only at Walmart in our area. They have them just regular or with jalapenos.
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Jamie Reply:
May 23rd, 2016 at 4:49 PM
Techincally called Ranch “Style” Beans: http://www.conagrafoods.com/our-food/brands/ranch-style-beans
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Comment by Joy — October 21, 2015 @ 10:34 AM
What would be a good easy side dish to serve with this?
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Comment by MaryLou Barnett — November 14, 2015 @ 6:50 PM
It does look delicious! I’ll definitely give it a try, probably tonight. I have a bunch of picky eaters and I think this might satisfy them all! Fingers crossed anyway! Just a question though, why does the previous page, maybe pin, say if you like tater tots , you’ll love this? Thanks so much! Rachella
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Comment by Rachella — November 15, 2015 @ 1:26 PM
Hi Brook and Kathryn…Welcome…Brook, London ON is a bit far from me…I pray that your new minister finds a wofrndeul new home in your city…Thank you, Kathryn..my header is from the Microsoft collection…they have great ones…
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Comment by Gabrielly — November 23, 2015 @ 12:14 PM
This sounds really good. Both of us can’t have tomatoes. What do you recommend instead of the Ro-tel
Thanks
Sharon
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Comment by Sharon — February 9, 2016 @ 7:06 AM
wow this sounds great! I make chili all the time, with ground beef, turkey, pork, chicken, sausage–and beans, gotta have beans! will probably add 2 cans, won’t drain hotel just beans, and was wondering –how about a can of consomme instead of the chicken? let me know, want to make asap! thanks!
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Comment by irishgurl — September 3, 2016 @ 6:17 PM