Name: Easy Tortilla Bake Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1.1 pounds ground meat (turkey, beef or chicken); 1 red onion (roughly chopped); 3 garlic cloves (peeled, roughly chopped); 1 red bell pepper (deseeded, roughly chopped); 1 green bell pepper (deseeded, roughly chopped); 2 green chilli peppers (with seeds, roughly chopped); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1½x14.11oz cans chopped tomatoes; 1x14.11oz can black beans (drained); 2 tablespoons tomato puree; 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce (or chili sauce/chipotle sauce etc); 1¼ teaspoon ground coriander and coarse sea salt (each); 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 cup mature cheddar (coarsely grated, 4.59oz); 1 tablespoon mascarpone cheese; 6 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro/coriander; 3 large tortilla wraps

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This tortilla bake is made using a combination of ground meat, vegetables and beans for a delicious, healthy meal. Thanks to my simple preparation method this Mexican-inspired tortilla recipe is quick and easy to make, perfect as a weeknight meal.

Cut tortilla bake in pie dish with sauce visible.

This tortilla bake is inspired by Mary Berry’s Mexican tortilla bake. I made a few changes to the recipe including the choice of meat (I used turkey rather than beef, but you can stick with beef if you prefer). I also used less cheese, added black beans, and tweaked the preparation method, which shortened cooking time.

My version is quick, easy and healthy, but no less delicious! My quick preparation method involves simply chopping all the vegetables in a food processor rather than by hand. This will save you SO much time, plus you’ll create a delicious sauce even before adding in the meat.

Once you've prepared your tortilla bake meat-and-vegetable filling then all you have to do is layer it with tortillas before baking until the top becomes crispy.

Tortilla bake ingredients and substitutions

Tortilla bake ingredients in individual dishes. — Tortilla bake ingredients.

Ground meat: turkey, chicken (dark meat for both) or beef.
Vegetables: onion, garlic, peppers and canned tomatoes.
Black beans.
Cheese: I used mature cheddar cheese but you can use mozzarella or another semi-hard cheese, instead. The mascarpone prevents the top of the tortilla bake from becoming dry.
Tortilla: use your favourite type of tortilla (plain, wholemeal, with herbs etc).
Spices: coriander and cumin.
Tomato puree and sweet chili sauce: add depth. Use another sauce, such as chipotle instead, if preferred.
Cilantro/fresh coriander.
Oil.
Salt and pepper to taste.

Step-by-step recipe instructions

1.Assemble vegetables: Place roughly chopped peppers, onion and garlic in a food processor.

Chopped peppers and red onion in blender bowl.

2. Chop vegetables: Pulse until the vegetables are finely chopped (but NOT pureed completely) so they still have some texture.

Finely chopped vegetables in blender bowl.

3. Cook vegetables: In a large shallow pan (with lid) heat 2 tablespoons of oil, add the vegetable mixture and cook gently for about 5 minutes stirring often.

Ground meat and chopped vegetable mixture in large white pan.

4. Add meat: Add the ground meat, mash with a fork and stir until fully cooked and combined with the vegetables (about 3 minutes).

Top down view of ground meat and vegetable sauce in large white pan with fork.

5. Cook filling mixture: Add the tomatoes, tomato puree, beans, seasoning and spices, stir, cover and simmer for 25 minutes stirring occasionally. 15 minutes into cooking preheat the oven to 375 F/ 190 C/ gas mark 5.

Black beans, chopped tomatoes and meat mixture in large white pan.

6. Add herbs: Remove from the heat, add the sweet chili sauce, chopped cilantro and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Tortilla bake filling mixture with fresh herbs in large white pan.

7. Assemble tortilla bake: Place ⅓ of the filling in a round dish, such as pie dish (roughly the size of your tortilla), spread evenly, scatter a handful of cheese (approx. ¼) over the top and cover with a tortilla. Make 2 more layers, spread the mascarpone over the top of the final tortilla and scatter the remaining cheese.

TIP: It is easier to spread the mascarpone over the top of the tortilla before creating the final layer.

Unbaked tortilla casserole with grated cheese scattered on top.

8. Bake: Place in the centre of the oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden and crispy. Remove from the oven, set aside for 5 minutes then serve.

Tortilla bake with browned top in round pie dish.

Serving suggestions

This layered tortilla bake is delicious on its own, but you can also garnish it with fresh coriander/cilantro, serve with crispy salad, rice, alongside roasted tomato salsa, mango avocado salsa, corn salsa, ranch dressing or another refreshing dip.

Top tips

Use a round dish that’s roughly the size of your tortilla (26 cm/ 10'' or similar), about 5 cm/2'' deep.
I recommend using a food processor to finely chop the vegetables (though be careful not to puree them completely). This method is much quicker and more effective than doing it by hand.
Make this dish as mild or spicy as you like by adjusting the amount of chili pepper. I used 2 green chili peppers which made my dish moderately spicy.
It is easier to spread the mascarpone over the top of the tortilla before creating the final layer.
Make ahead: You can cook the filling ahead and refrigerate it until you are ready to assemble your tortilla bake. Place the mixture back in a pan, heat through, add a drop of water to loosen the mixture if needed and assemble the recipe as per Instructions.
Best served hot. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the microwave.
Freeze for up to 3 months.

Side view of cut tortilla bake in pie dish.

More Mexican-inspired dishes to try next

See also these other easy, delicious meal ideas!

Recipe

Keep in touch!

If you make this easy tortilla bake recipe I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks:)