Mexican Plateau

Dive into the vibrant flavors of the "Mexican Plateau," a layered Tex-Mex delight that's as visually stunning as it is delicious. This hearty, oven-finished dish starts with a savory base of spiced ground beef, black beans, and diced tomatoes, all simmered with bold seasonings like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika. It’s layered over a bed of lightly crushed tortilla chips and crowned with melted Mexican blend cheese for a satisfying crunch in every bite. Topped with dollops of creamy sour cream, fresh chopped cilantro, buttery avocado slices, and served with zesty lime wedges, this recipe is perfect for sharing at family dinners or game-day gatherings. Ready in just 40 minutes, the "Mexican Plateau" combines ease, flavor, and a touch of indulgence, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Keywords: Tex-Mex recipe, Mexican casserole, ground beef recipes, weeknight dinner ideas.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1.5 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 15 ounces canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 3 cups tortilla chips, lightly crushed
• 2 cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sour cream
• 0.5 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

Step 3

Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, stirring to distribute the spices evenly.

Step 5

Mix in the black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Remove from heat.

Step 6

Preheat your broiler to high. In a large, oven-safe dish or cast-iron skillet, spread a layer of crushed tortilla chips at the bottom.

Step 7

Spoon the ground beef mixture evenly over the tortilla chips.

Step 8

Sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese on top, covering the surface generously.

Step 9

Place the dish under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely to prevent burning.

Step 10

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 2 minutes.

Step 11

Top with dollops of sour cream, chopped cilantro, and avocado slices.

Step 12

Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for a zesty finish and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2774.4 grams (2774.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5281

Total Fat 340.20g	436%
Saturated Fat 123.10g	615%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 656mg	219%
Sodium 7314mg	318%
Total Carbohydrate 418.60g	152%
Dietary Fiber 80.40g	287%
Total Sugars 49.40g
Protein 208.10g	416%

Vitamin D 48IU	240%
Calcium 2592mg	199%
Iron 33mg	182%
Potassium 5445mg	116%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.0%

Protein: 14.9%

Carbs: 30.1%