Bean and Cheese Enchilada Casserole Recipe
This Bean and Cheese Enchilada Casserole is a comforting and flavorful Mexican-inspired layered dish made with hearty refried beans, melty cheese, and rich enchilada sauce, all baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect as a simple weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck option, it’s customizable with your favorite toppings for added freshness and spice.
- Author: Logan
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Enchilada Sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can enchilada sauce (red or green)
Cheese
- 1 lb block cheese, shredded (about 2 1/2 cups), Monterey Jack recommended
Beans
- 2 cups refried beans, homemade or store-bought (thin with water if needed for spreading)
Tortillas
- 7 corn tortillas (2 cut in half for fitting)
Optional Toppings
- Avocado
- Cilantro
- Tomato
- Lettuce
- Onion
- Jalapenos
- Salsa
- Hot sauce
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a rectangular baking dish, about 10.5 x 7.5 inches, or adjust ingredient amounts if using a different size.
- Layer Base: Spread about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce evenly on the bottom of the baking dish to create a flavorful base layer.
- First Layer: Place a single layer of corn tortillas over the sauce, cutting some halves to fit the pan if needed. Spread an even layer of refried beans on top of the tortillas, followed by a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Add 1/2 cup enchilada sauce over the cheese, then another layer of tortillas, refried beans, and cheese. Add one more layer of tortillas, top with enchilada sauce, and finish with a final layer of shredded cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This helps the casserole heat through and the flavors meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and the casserole is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool slightly before slicing and serving. Garnish with your choice of avocado, cilantro, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, jalapenos, salsa, or hot sauce for extra flavor.
Notes
- You can use either red or green enchilada sauce; both work well with this casserole.
- If using canned refried beans, thin them with a little water to make spreading easier.
- Feel free to swap Monterey Jack cheese for another good melting cheese like cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend.
- Adjust the number of tortillas or beans if using a smaller or larger baking dish to maintain layering consistency.
- This casserole reheats well and can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- To make it vegan, substitute cheese with a plant-based alternative and ensure beans are vegan-friendly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/6th of casserole)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Bean Enchilada Casserole, Cheese Enchiladas, Vegetarian Mexican Casserole, Refried Bean Casserole, Easy Enchilada Bake