Description
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
- Preheat Your Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) or 180°C for fan-forced ovens.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Beans and Tomato Base:
- Stir in the drained beans and tomato passata. Mix well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired