Mexically Option
A versatile and cheesy Mexican-inspired casserole with optional toppings like Doritos and beans, perfect for customizing to your taste and serving a crowd.
Ingredients
- 1 can cream of mushroom ⓘ
- 1 can cream of chicken ⓘ
- 1 small can chopped chilies ⓘ
- 1 small onion, chopped (optional) ⓘ
- 1 can enchilada sauce (optional) ⓘ
- 1 can milk ⓘ
- 1 can Ranch or pinto beans (optional) ⓘ
- flour tortillas (optional) ⓘ
- Doritos (any flavor, optional)
- 1 lb. hamburger meat ⓘ
- garlic salt ⓘ
- 8 oz. Cheddar cheese, grated or 1 can Cheddar cheese soup ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, chopped chilies, milk, and optional ingredients like chopped onion, enchilada sauce, beans, and cheese.
- Add cooked hamburger meat and garlic salt; mix well.
- Pour mixture into a baking dish.
- Top with grated Cheddar cheese or cheese soup.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Optional: Serve with flour tortillas and crushed Doritos for added crunch.
Tips & Substitutions
For an extra kick, consider adding diced jalapeños or using spicy Doritos. If you're short on time, pre-cooked chicken can substitute for hamburger meat. You can also swap the cream soups for homemade versions made with broth and flour. For a healthier twist, use low-fat cheese and skip the optional ingredients like beans and tortillas.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with flour tortillas for scooping or as a side. Consider serving it alongside a fresh salad or Mexican rice for a complete meal. For added crunch, sprinkle crushed Doritos on top just before serving. It's also great topped with fresh cilantro or avocado slices.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, but be mindful of not overcooking to maintain texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mexically Option contains roughly 951 calories, with 34g protein, 111g carbohydrates, and 42g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (68% of the Daily Value), iron (48% of the Daily Value), and calcium (31% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this dish vegetarian by substituting the hamburger meat with a mixture of beans or lentils. You can also add more vegetables, such as bell peppers or corn, to enhance the flavor while keeping it hearty.
What can I use instead of cream soups?
If you prefer not to use canned cream soups, you can make a homemade version with a roux of butter and flour, adding milk and spices to achieve a similar creamy consistency. This can enhance the flavor and allow for more control over ingredients.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add more heat, consider using hot cream of chicken soup or adding extra chopped chilies, jalapeños, or hot sauce. You can also use a spicy variety of Doritos to give it an additional kick while serving.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).