Mexican White Trash Casserole

Creamy, Cheesy, Flavor-Packed & Family-Friendly

Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: About 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1½ lb (680 g) lean ground beef or ground chicken
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
• 2 cups shredded Mexican-blend or cheddar cheese
• 6 oz tortilla chips, lightly crushed
• ½ cup sliced black olives, optional
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, optional

Instructions

1. Cook the meat:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or chicken and cook for 7–9 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if necessary.

Add the taco seasoning and follow the packet directions, usually with a small amount of water. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.

2. Prepare the creamy mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and drained tomatoes with green chiles. Stir until smooth.

Add the cooked seasoned meat and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Mix until everything is evenly combined.

3. Layer the casserole:
Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon the creamy meat mixture over the chips and spread it into an even layer.

Top with the remaining crushed chips, then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top. Add black olives if using.

4. Bake:
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden.

5. Rest and serve:
Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro if desired.

🌶️ Easy Add-Ins

For extra flavor, add diced jalapeños, green onions, chopped bell peppers, or a little extra green chile. For more protein, use lean ground chicken or turkey and increase the meat to 2 pounds.

🥑 Lower-Carb Option

Replace the tortilla chips with crushed pork rinds or a homemade low-carb tortilla-chip alternative. Use a taco seasoning without added sugar and check the labels on the soup and tomatoes, since carbohydrate amounts vary by brand.

Approximate protein: With 1½ lb lean ground beef and 8 servings, the casserole provides roughly 30–35 g protein per serving, depending on the exact ingredients used.