Description
This Cheesy Dorito Veggie Casserole is a delicious and hearty Mexican-inspired vegetarian dinner. Packed with sautéed bell peppers, sweet corn, beans, rice, and layers of creamy cream cheese and Manchego cheese, all topped with crunchy Doritos, this casserole offers a flavorful and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, peeled and sliced
- ½ cup sweet corn
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup kidney or black beans
- 3 tablespoons Kalamata olives
Other Ingredients
- 2 cups salsa
- 2 tablespoons (1 packet) taco seasoning
- 3 cups Doritos chips
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups grated Manchego cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat with the olive oil. Add the diced red and yellow bell peppers and sliced red onion. Sauté until the vegetables become tender and fragrant.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the sweet corn, cooked rice, kidney or black beans, Kalamata olives, salsa, and taco seasoning into the skillet. Cook and mix everything for about 2 minutes to combine flavors well.
- Layer Casserole - Part 1: In the prepared baking dish, spread half of the Doritos chips evenly on the bottom. Then add half of the vegetable and rice mixture over the chips.
- Spread Cream Cheese: Soften the cream cheese by microwaving it for 30-60 seconds. Spread the softened cream cheese evenly over the first layer of the vegetable and rice mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup of grated Manchego cheese on top of the cream cheese layer.
- Layer Casserole - Part 2: Spoon the remaining vegetable and rice mixture over the first layers. Top with the remaining Doritos chips and then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Manchego cheese over the top.
- Bake Casserole: Cover the baking dish with tinfoil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving for a bright, fresh contrast.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, add extra taco seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the vegetable mixture.
- Use your favorite type of beans such as black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans depending on your preference.
- Manchego cheese can be substituted with a Mexican blend or cheddar cheese if unavailable.
- To make this dish vegan, substitute cream cheese and Manchego with plant-based cheese alternatives and use vegan-friendly Doritos or tortilla chips.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat covered in the oven or microwave before serving.
