Santa Fe–Style Red Chile Beef Tortilla Casserole

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, brown the ground beef with the onion until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
3. Add the garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
4. Pour in the red chile sauce and simmer for 3–4 minutes to blend flavors.
5. Lightly grease a baking dish and lay down the first layer of tortillas.
6. Spread one-third of the beef mixture over the tortillas and sprinkle with cheese.
7. Repeat the layering (tortillas → beef → cheese) two more times.
8. Finish with a generous layer of cheese on top.
9. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly golden.
10. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Add toppings as desired.

Variations

• Add a layer of refried beans between the tortillas for a heartier bake.
• Use shredded chicken, pork, or turkey in place of beef.
• Mix roasted Hatch green chile into the beef layer for extra heat.
• Swap cheddar for pepper jack to make it extra spicy.

Tips

• Slightly warm or toast the tortillas to prevent tearing.
• Don’t skip the rest time — it helps the casserole set for cleaner slices.
• For a saucier casserole, drizzle extra red chile sauce between layers.
• Serve with rice, beans, or a crisp salad to complete the meal.