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Cheesy Mexican Beef and Bean Bake: A Comforting Crowd-Pleaser

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This Cheesy Mexican Beef and Bean Bake is a crowd-pleasing dish packed with bold flavors, hearty ingredients, and gooey cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings, it’s as versatile as it is delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Main Ingredients:
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 red onion, finely chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 green capsicum (bell pepper), diced into 1cm pieces
    • 500g (1 lb) ground beef (mince)
    • 1 can (400g / 14 oz) kidney beans or black beans, drained
    • 1 cup tomato passata
    • 1/3 cup pickled jalapeños (adjust to taste)
    • 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby cheese (or cheddar, Monterey Jack, etc.)
  • Mexican Spice Mix:
    • 1 1/2 tsp cumin powder
    • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp dried oregano
    • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
    • 1 tsp cooking/kosher salt (adjust to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Your Oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) or 180°C for fan-forced ovens.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics:
    • Heat the olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Add the red onion, garlic, and diced green capsicum. Sauté for about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Cook the Beef:
    • Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks, ensuring even browning.
    • Once the meat is no longer pink, sprinkle in the Mexican spice mix. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices and release their aroma.
  4. Add Beans and Tomato Base:
    • Stir in the drained beans and tomato passata. Mix well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Top with Jalapeños and Cheese:
    • Spread the beef mixture evenly in the skillet.
    • Sprinkle the pickled jalapeños across the surface, then generously top with shredded cheese.
  6. Bake to Perfection:
    • Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly with golden edges.
  7. Serve and Enjoy:
    • Remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool slightly.
    • Scoop portions into bowls and serve with tortilla chips, tacos, or your favorite Mexican sides.

Notes

  • Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded varieties.
  • For extra veggies, add diced zucchini, corn, or chopped spinach to the mixture.
  • Don’t have an oven-proof skillet? Transfer the mixture to a baking dish before topping with cheese and baking.

Find it online: https://friendlywell.com/cheesy-mexican-beef-and-bean-bake-a-comforting-crowd-pleaser/