Cheesy Tortilla Meat Bake

### Instructions:

**Step 1: Preheat the Oven**
Start by preheating your oven to **350°F (175°C)**. This ensures that the oven is hot enough for baking your casserole, giving it that golden and bubbly finish.

**Step 2: Cook the Ground Meat**
In a large skillet over medium heat, add your ground beef (or meat of choice). Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once the meat starts to brown, add the chopped onion and bell pepper (if using). Sauté the mixture for another 5 minutes, until the onions become translucent and the peppers soften.

**Step 3: Add Seasoning and Tomatoes**
Once the meat is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the taco seasoning (or your homemade seasoning blend) and the diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir everything together and let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. If the mixture seems too thick, add a little water or broth to reach your desired consistency.

**Step 4: Layer the Casserole**
In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, begin layering the casserole. Start with a layer of the tortilla pieces, overlapping them slightly to cover the bottom of the dish. Then, spread half of the meat mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the meat layer.

Repeat the layers: another set of tortillas, the remaining meat mixture, and top with the remaining cheese. If you want to add an extra cheesy layer, feel free to throw in a little more cheese on top!

**Step 5: Bake**
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about **20 minutes**. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional **5-10 minutes**, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

**Step 6: Serve and Enjoy**
Once the Cheesy Tortilla Meat Bake is out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes. Then, cut it into squares and serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or green onions for a burst of flavor.

### Tips for Success:

– **Customize the Filling**: You can easily customize this dish by adding other vegetables such as corn, black beans, or zucchini. Feel free to get creative with your ingredients!
– **Make It Spicy**: If you like a little heat, consider adding sliced jalapeños to the meat mixture or using a spicy taco seasoning.
– **Use Tortillas of Your Choice**: While flour tortillas are the go-to for this recipe, you can also use corn tortillas for a gluten-free version.
– **Make Ahead**: This dish is great for meal prep! You can assemble the casserole the night before and bake it the next day, or even freeze it for later use. Just let it cool, cover it tightly, and store it in the freezer. To bake from frozen, add an extra 15-20 minutes to the cooking time.

### Why You’ll Love This Dish:

– **Quick and Easy**: This recipe is simple to prepare with minimal hands-on time. Once it’s assembled, the oven does the hard work for you.
– **Cheesy and Delicious**: Who doesn’t love the combination of melty cheese, savory meat, and soft tortillas? It’s a flavor-packed bite in every mouthful.
– **Family-Friendly**: This casserole is perfect for picky eaters and can easily be adapted to suit different tastes. The kids will love it, and so will the adults!
– **Comforting and Filling**: It’s a complete meal in one dish, full of protein, carbs, and cheese, making it a hearty and satisfying dinner option.

### Variations:

– **Vegetarian Version**: Skip the meat and opt for black beans, corn, and sautéed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and onions. Add extra cheese and top with avocado for a creamy touch.
– **Make It Low-Carb**: Substitute the flour tortillas with low-carb tortillas or even eggplant slices for a lower-carb version of this cheesy bake.
– **Use Leftovers**: If you have leftover taco meat or even shredded chicken, this recipe is a great way to repurpose those ingredients and create something new and exciting.

### Final Thoughts:

This **Cheesy Tortilla Meat Bake** is one of those dishes that will quickly become a family favorite. With its layers of seasoned meat, gooey cheese, and soft tortillas, it’s the ultimate comfort food. Whether you serve it as a weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, this casserole will hit the spot every time. And, the best part is how easy it is to make! With just a few simple ingredients and a little time in the oven, you’ll have a cheesy, flavorful meal that everyone will enjoy.

Enjoy your cheesy, hearty meal, and don’t forget to share it with loved ones!