Ever have one of those days? The kind where you just need something easy, cheesy, and guaranteed to make everyone at the table happy. No fancy ingredients, no complicated steps. Just pure comfort in a dish.
This casserole is exactly that. It’s the meal you make when you’re tired but still want a dinner that tastes like a warm hug. It’s got a funny name, but the flavor is seriously good.
We’re talking layers of seasoned beef, creamy sauce, and melted cheese. It’s simple, it’s hearty, and it’s about to become a regular in your dinner rotation. Let’s get cooking.
What You’ll Need
This recipe is all about using simple pantry items. No need to run to a specialty store for these ingredients. Most of them are probably in your kitchen right now.
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 oz) of diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), undrained
- 1 can (10.5 oz) of cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 12 corn tortillas, cut into strips
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
Pro Tips
After making this dish more times than I can count, I’ve picked up a few tricks. These little steps make a big difference and will help you get it perfect on your first try.
- Don’t Skip the Sear: When you brown the ground beef, let it get a little crispy. Those brown bits in the pan are pure flavor. Scrape them up when you add the other ingredients.
- Toast Your Tortillas: To keep the tortillas from getting mushy, you can lightly toast the strips. Just spread them on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven for a few minutes until they are slightly crisp.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese has stuff on it to keep it from clumping. Shredding a block of cheese yourself means it will melt into a perfectly smooth and creamy layer.
- Let It Rest: This is the hardest part! After you pull the casserole out of the oven, let it sit for about 10 minutes. This helps it set, so you can cut clean slices that don’t fall apart.
Kitchen Tools
You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this one. Just the basics will do the job.
- Large skillet
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Cheese grater (if shredding your own)
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to change up. You can swap things out based on what you have or what your family likes.
| Ingredient | Substitution Idea |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef | Ground turkey, shredded rotisserie chicken, or ground sausage. |
| Corn Tortillas | Crushed Fritos, Doritos, or even flour tortillas. |
| Cream of Chicken | Cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or cheddar cheese soup. |
| Mexican Cheese | Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix of both. |
For some extra kick, you can add a chopped jalapeño when you cook the onions. Or stir in a can of drained black beans or corn to the meat mixture to make it even heartier.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can assemble this entire casserole a day ahead. Just put it all together, cover it tightly with foil, and keep it in the fridge.
When you’re ready to eat, you may need to add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold. It’s a great way to have dinner ready to go on a busy night.
How to Make Mexican White Trash Casserole
Here are the simple steps to get this delicious meal on the table.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat until the meat is browned. Drain off any extra grease.
Step 3: Stir in the taco seasoning, the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (don’t drain it!), the cream of chicken soup, and the sour cream. Mix it all together until it’s well combined and heated through.
Step 4: Place a layer of tortilla strips in the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
Step 5: Spoon about half of the meat mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle one cup of the shredded cheese on top.
Step 6: Add another layer of tortilla strips, the rest of the meat mixture, and top it all off with the final cup of cheese.
Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly around the edges. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition, Diets, and Pairings
This dish is pure comfort food, not health food. But you can make some changes if you need to. Here is a general idea of the nutrition.
| Nutritional Info (per serving) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 450 |
| Fat | 25g |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Protein | 28g |
(Note: These are estimates and can change based on your ingredients.)
Swaps for Different Diets
Want to make this fit a specific way of eating? Here are some ideas.
| Diet | Ingredient Swaps |
|---|---|
| Low-Carb | Use low-carb tortillas and a low-carb cream soup substitute. |
| Vegetarian | Replace ground beef with black beans, pinto beans, or a plant-based crumble. Use cream of mushroom soup. |
| Gluten-Free | This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use corn tortillas and a gluten-free cream soup. |
What to Serve It With
This casserole is a full meal on its own, but it’s great with a few simple sides. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette can cut through the richness.
For toppings, you can’t go wrong with a dollop of sour cream, some fresh salsa, guacamole, or sliced green onions.
Leftovers and Storage
If you have any leftovers, they store really well. Just put them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will be good for up to 4 days.
To reheat, you can pop a serving in the microwave for a couple of minutes. You can also reheat the whole casserole in the oven at 350°F until it’s warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I freeze this casserole?
Ans: Yes, absolutely. You can freeze it before or after baking. If you freeze it before, thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking. If you freeze leftovers, you can reheat them from frozen in the oven.
Q2. Is this recipe spicy?
Ans: It has a little kick from the taco seasoning and the green chilies. If you want it milder, use a mild taco seasoning and a can of plain diced tomatoes instead of the Rotel.
Q3. Why is it called “White Trash Casserole”?
Ans: It’s an old, informal name for recipes that use simple, canned, and processed ingredients to create something delicious and easy. The name is just a bit of fun that points to how simple and un-fancy the ingredients are.
Wrapping Up
This casserole is proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make an amazing dinner. It’s cheesy, satisfying, and comes together so quickly. It’s the kind of meal that makes everyone feel good.
Give it a try the next time you need a no-fuss dinner that you know your family will love.
I’d love to hear how it turns out for you! Drop a comment below and let me know if you made any fun changes to the recipe.
