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This Tortilla Casserole has been a favorite in our family for over 50 years. It’s tried and true and your family will love it too! Be sure to watch the video below to see just how easy it is to assemble this delicious tortilla casserole recipe.
I grew up in the era of casseroles. Most of those casseroles usually involved some kind of condensed soup, tuna or tater tots! Casseroles were a staple at our home and a staple at every church potluck.
Recently I was going through a cookbook of my family’s favorite recipes and I found today’s recipe for Tortilla Casserole. I had forgotten about this hidden gem. I promise there is no soup, tuna or tater tots in this casserole though!
This is a recipe that has been in my family for over 50 years or so. It was given to my mother by one of her best friends, Vera Jean Jones. Vera was a great cook and a fabulous entertainer. She was my mother’s next door neighbor and a life long friend.
One of the nice things about casseroles is the ease that they come together. This tortilla casserole uses ingredients I always have in my pantry, a can of diced tomatoes, chili without beans, and black olives. These ingredients help save time and allows you to get a delicious homemade meal on the table. I love having a well stocked pantry because it helps make meal planning in a pinch possible!
In addition to the canned items, you will need a pound of hamburger, some green onions, cheese, and tortillas.
How to Make Tortilla Casserole
First, brown the hamburger and then add in the tomatoes and chili. Then, let the tortilla casserole mixture simmer for about an hour and a half on low. This allows it to thicken up and the flavors to meld together.
Once the mixture has thickened, you are then ready to assemble the casserole. I used a 9 x 13 pan. Begin with a layer of corn tortillas on the bottom.
Then add half the meat mixture, half the black olives and half the cheese.
And then repeat that same combination. Another layer of tortillas, meat, olives and cheese. Then it is ready for the oven. Bake the tortilla casserole at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
Once out of the oven, garnish it with a bit more green onion and dinner is ready.
Sometimes those old recipes really are the best recipes.
Check out more easy dinner recipes:
Skillet Potatoes with Peppers, Onions and Sausage
My favorite kitchen tools I use to make TORTILLA CASSEROLE:
REDMOND REAL SALT – this is my favorite, daily use salt. It’s unrefined, unprocessed, just the way nature made it!
9 x 13 GLASS PAN – I actually own three of these and they seem to be in constant use.
For all of my other favorite kitchen products and tools visit my Amazon Store.
Tortilla Casserole Recipe
Tortilla Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb. hamburger
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 12 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 1 12 oz. can chili with no beans
- 4 green onions diced Reserve some for garnish
- 1 2.25 oz. can sliced olives
- 3 C grated Cheddar Cheese or a Cheddar blend
- 10 corn tortillas
Instructions
- Brown meat and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Add in tomatoes and chili.
- Simmer on low for 1 1/2 hours.
- Stir in green onions.
- Line 9 x 13 pan with tortillas.
- Layer with half of meat mixture, half of cheese and half of olives.
- Then add another layer of tortillas and repeat.
- Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.
Laura says
Awesome recipes
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
Thanks so much!!
Jennie Richards says
Delicious!! Served it with shredded lettuce on the side! Will definitely be making this again!
Leigh Anne says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to let me know
Janet says
Really want to try this! Just wondered – could I sub. something else for the olives? Nobody in the family likes them. Thank you.
Leigh Anne says
Janet, I would just leave them out.
Treva says
Yummy, this was delicious and a big hit my family!! I will make this again and again. I added a little bit of taco seasoning. Thanks again Leigh Ann, you never disappoint. 🙂