Mexican Quesadilla Casserole

Ingredients and Weight:

• 12 (10-inch) corn tortillas
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 red bell peppers, chopped
• 2 green bell peppers, chopped
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

25-30 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion, red and green bell peppers.
3. Add the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, cumin, and chili powder. Cook until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Spread 1 cup of the ground beef mixture evenly over the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
5. Top with 6 corn tortillas.
6. Spread the remaining ground beef mixture evenly over the tortillas.
7. Sprinkle with the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
8. Lay the remaining 6 corn tortillas on top.
9. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream and any remaining taco seasoning. Spread over the top of the casserole.
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting into squares to serve.
12. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.

Nutritional Information (per serving for 8 people):

• Calories: 600
• Fat: 25 grams
• Protein: 40 grams
• Carbohydrates: 60 grams
• Fiber: 10 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• Cheesy and flavorful
• Hearty and satisfying
• Easy to make and customizable
• Perfect for dinner parties or potlucks

User Comments:

• "This quesadilla casserole is a crowd-pleaser. It's cheesy, flavorful, and easy to make. I highly recommend it!"
• "I love that this casserole is customizable. I added some jalapenos to make it a little spicier."
• "This was the perfect dish for a casual dinner with friends. It's hearty and satisfying, but not too heavy."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• To make a vegetarian version of this casserole, use crumbled tofu or tempeh instead of ground beef.
• If you don't have a large skillet, you can brown the ground beef in batches.
• Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before cutting and serving to prevent it from falling apart.