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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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Mexican-inspired
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 red onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 green capsicum bell pepper, diced into 1cm pieces
  • 500 g 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.