Description
This Queso Smothered Fajita Casserole is a creamy, cheesy fusion of Tex-Mex flavors, packed with seasoned ground beef, sautéed peppers, onions, corn, and layered tortillas. Smothered in queso and topped with melted cheese, it’s a hearty crowd-pleaser perfect for weeknight dinners or freezer meals.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
1 1/2 cups queso dip
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 packet taco seasoning
6 to 8 flour or corn tortillas
1 fresh jalapeño, sliced (optional)
Instructions
1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
2. Add sliced onions and bell peppers. Cook for 5–7 minutes until soft. Stir in taco seasoning.
3. Mix in corn and 1 cup of the queso dip. Stir to combine and heat through.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
5. Layer tortillas in the bottom of the dish. Add a portion of the beef mixture, a drizzle of queso, and a sprinkle of both cheeses.
6. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a generous topping of cheese.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
8. Top with jalapeños and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
For added flavor, toast your tortillas before layering to prevent sogginess.
You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, shredded chicken, or black beans.
For a spicier version, mix chopped jalapeños into the beef filling before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: queso, casserole, fajita, tex-mex, dinner