Description
This Queso Smothered Fajita Casserole is a rich, cheesy Tex-Mex dream layered with seasoned ground meat, sautéed bell peppers and onions, melty shredded cheese, and a generous pour of queso dip. Baked until golden and topped with fresh jalapeños, tomatoes, and green onions, it’s the perfect cozy comfort meal for any night of the week.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
1 packet fajita or taco seasoning
1⁄4 cup water
1 cup queso dip (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 flour tortillas
1⁄2 cup diced tomatoes
1⁄4 cup sliced jalapeños
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef or turkey over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add sliced onions and bell peppers to the skillet and sauté until tender-crisp, about 5–6 minutes.
4. Stir in fajita or taco seasoning and 1⁄4 cup of water. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes until flavors meld.
5. Layer 2 tortillas on the bottom of the prepared dish. Spoon over a portion of the meat mixture, drizzle with queso, and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
6. Repeat layers two more times, finishing with queso and cheese on top.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
8. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Top with diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and green onions. Optional: Serve with avocado or sour cream.
Notes
Let the casserole rest after baking to help the layers set before cutting.
Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and texture.
Swap tortillas for zucchini slices or low-carb wraps for a keto-friendly version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: fajita casserole, queso casserole, cheesy casserole