When you’re torn between jumping in the car and grabbing some quick and easy Tex-Mex fast food or cooking at home, we can’t blame you for being tempted by option one. Surely home cooking just can’t compete with the spicy and satisfying treats you can get in a paper bag. But guess again! The Drive Thru Casserole skips the car ride but still delivers the savory, cheesy, late-night-taco-inspired flavor you’re craving. Everyone will be diving into slice after slice of the juicy beef, refreshing salsa, and hearty beans all mingled together! Drive Thru Casserole will convince you to put down the keys and pick up the spatula!
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the dish
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- kosher salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1(15-ounce) can pinto beans, strained and rinsed
- 2 cups jarred tomato salsa, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 cups yellow corn tortilla chips, plus more for serving
- 3 cups cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend, shredded
For the optional toppings:
- 1 cup sour cream, stirred to enable easier dolloping
- 1 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 2 plum tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 2 –Lightly oil a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
Step 3 –Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat.
Step 4 –When the oil is shimmering, add the beef and sprinkle it with the chili powder, the cumin, the oregano, the salt, and the pepper.
Step 5 –Cook the beef, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned, about 5 minutes.
Step 6 –Add the onions and the garlic and cook until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
Step 7 –Add the beans, the salsa, and the water to the skillet.
Step 8 –Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens and coats the meat, about 5 minutes.
Step 9 –Taste the sauce for seasoning.
Step 10 –Layer 1/2 of the tortilla chips on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 11 –Spread 1/2 of the meat mixture on top of the chip layer.
Step 12 –Sprinkle 1/2 of the cheese on top of the meat layer.
Step 13 –Repeat the layers once.
Step 14 –Bake, uncovered, until the cheese melts and the casserole is hot, about 20 minutes.
Step 15 –Serve with your favorite toppings and with the extra salsa and chips.
