Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease 8x8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or little oil to prevent sticking. This easy casserole recipe comes together quickly so have everything ready.
- In large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, breaking up with wooden spoon or spatula as cooks, until completely browned with no pink remaining, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease by carefully tilting pan and spooning out, or pouring meat into colander. Return drained beef to skillet. Season with pinch salt and pepper.
- In medium bowl, combine cooked ground beef, entire can enchilada sauce, and drained diced green chilies. Stir everything together until beef well coated with sauce. Mixture should be saucy and flavorful—what makes your comfort food casserole so good.
- Spread about half tortilla chips across bottom of prepared 8x8-inch baking dish in relatively even layer. Don't worry about making perfect—broken chips work just fine for this easy weeknight dinner.
- Pour half beef and enchilada sauce mixture over layer of chips, spreading out to cover most chips. Sprinkle half shredded cheese (about 1 cup) evenly over beef layer. Cheese melts down into all nooks and crannies.
- Add another layer tortilla chips over cheese, using remaining chips. Pour rest beef mixture over this second chip layer, again spreading to cover. Top with remaining 1 cup shredded cheese, making sure to distribute evenly across entire surface for golden, bubbly top on quick dinner.
- Place baking dish in preheated oven and bake 20-25 minutes, until cheese on top completely melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown around edges. Chips should be softened but not mushy, and whole casserole heated through.
- Remove from oven and let casserole sit about 5 minutes before serving. Brief resting time allows layers to set slightly, making easier to scoop out portions without everything falling apart. Serve hot, topped with sour cream, fresh cilantro, jalapeños, or any favorite toppings for ultimate family dinner.
Notes
Don't skip draining beef—excess grease makes casserole oily instead of saucy for this comfort food recipe.
Use sturdy chips—thicker tortilla chips hold up better than thin ones in this easy casserole.
Layer evenly—distribute chips, beef, and cheese evenly for consistent texture throughout.
Let rest before serving—5 minutes help everything set up for cleaner scooping.
Customize heat—use mild or hot enchilada sauce depending on family's preference for weeknight dinner.
Shred own cheese—pre-shredded works but freshly shredded melts better for this quick dinner recipe.
Use chicken: Replace ground beef with 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken for easier prep on easy weeknight dinner.
Make it vegetarian: Use black beans and corn instead of meat for meatless comfort food casserole.
Ground turkey: Substitute ground turkey for leaner version of this family dinner.
Add beans: Mix 1 can black beans or pinto beans into beef mixture for heartier casserole.
Green enchilada sauce: Use green enchilada sauce instead of red for different flavor.
Extra vegetables: Add diced bell peppers, corn, or black olives to beef mixture.
Spicier version: Add diced jalapeños or use spicy enchilada sauce for heat lovers.
Corn chips: Use Fritos or corn chips instead of tortilla chips for different texture in quick dinner.
Make ahead: Yes! Assemble entire casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time if starting cold for quick dinner.
Chips soggy: Either too much sauce or baked too long. Use just enough sauce to coat beef and watch baking time carefully in easy casserole.
Flour tortillas instead: Could tear up flour tortillas but different texture. Tortilla chips provide best crunch for this comfort food recipe.
Casserole dry: Not enough enchilada sauce. Make sure beef mixture quite saucy before layering for weeknight dinner.
Double recipe: Yes! Use 9x13-inch baking dish and double all ingredients. Baking time may increase 5-10 minutes for family dinner.
What cheese works best: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese blend all work great for this easy casserole recipe. Use what prefer.
Homemade enchilada sauce: Absolutely! Homemade sauce works perfectly if have time, though canned keeps this quick dinner.
Store leftovers airtight in fridge up to 3 days. Chips continue to soften as sits.
Freeze assembled but unbaked casserole (without topping) up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge, add fresh cheese on top, and bake as directed for make-ahead dinner.
Reheat individual portions in microwave 1-2 minutes, or reheat whole dish covered with foil at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
Serve: Hot, scooped into bowls or onto plates. This comfort food casserole perfect topped with sour cream, cilantro, and jalapeños for complete easy weeknight dinner.
Pairs with: Mexican rice, refried beans, simple green salad, guacamole and chips, or Spanish rice for family dinner.
Use sturdy chips—thicker tortilla chips hold up better than thin ones in this easy casserole.
Layer evenly—distribute chips, beef, and cheese evenly for consistent texture throughout.
Let rest before serving—5 minutes help everything set up for cleaner scooping.
Customize heat—use mild or hot enchilada sauce depending on family's preference for weeknight dinner.
Shred own cheese—pre-shredded works but freshly shredded melts better for this quick dinner recipe.
Use chicken: Replace ground beef with 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken for easier prep on easy weeknight dinner.
Make it vegetarian: Use black beans and corn instead of meat for meatless comfort food casserole.
Ground turkey: Substitute ground turkey for leaner version of this family dinner.
Add beans: Mix 1 can black beans or pinto beans into beef mixture for heartier casserole.
Green enchilada sauce: Use green enchilada sauce instead of red for different flavor.
Extra vegetables: Add diced bell peppers, corn, or black olives to beef mixture.
Spicier version: Add diced jalapeños or use spicy enchilada sauce for heat lovers.
Corn chips: Use Fritos or corn chips instead of tortilla chips for different texture in quick dinner.
Make ahead: Yes! Assemble entire casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time if starting cold for quick dinner.
Chips soggy: Either too much sauce or baked too long. Use just enough sauce to coat beef and watch baking time carefully in easy casserole.
Flour tortillas instead: Could tear up flour tortillas but different texture. Tortilla chips provide best crunch for this comfort food recipe.
Casserole dry: Not enough enchilada sauce. Make sure beef mixture quite saucy before layering for weeknight dinner.
Double recipe: Yes! Use 9x13-inch baking dish and double all ingredients. Baking time may increase 5-10 minutes for family dinner.
What cheese works best: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese blend all work great for this easy casserole recipe. Use what prefer.
Homemade enchilada sauce: Absolutely! Homemade sauce works perfectly if have time, though canned keeps this quick dinner.
Store leftovers airtight in fridge up to 3 days. Chips continue to soften as sits.
Freeze assembled but unbaked casserole (without topping) up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge, add fresh cheese on top, and bake as directed for make-ahead dinner.
Reheat individual portions in microwave 1-2 minutes, or reheat whole dish covered with foil at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
Serve: Hot, scooped into bowls or onto plates. This comfort food casserole perfect topped with sour cream, cilantro, and jalapeños for complete easy weeknight dinner.
Pairs with: Mexican rice, refried beans, simple green salad, guacamole and chips, or Spanish rice for family dinner.