Description
Green Chile Tortilla Pie is a comforting and flavorful Southwestern-inspired casserole that layers crisp tortillas with a hearty mixture of seasoned green chiles, cheese, ground meat or beans, onions, garlic, and spices. This easy-to-make dish is ideal for busy weeknights or cozy family gatherings, offering a perfect balance of bold, zesty flavors and satisfying textures with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey) or 1½ cups cooked black beans (for vegetarian option)
- 1 to 1½ cups diced green chiles (fresh, roasted, or canned)
- 1 cup diced tomatoes or ½ cup salsa
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Assembly
- 8 to 10 flour or corn tortillas (6-inch size)
- 2 to 3 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
- Cooking oil or cooking spray (for greasing the baking dish)
Optional Garnishes and Variations
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced green onions
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Lime wedges
- Avocado slices (especially for dairy-free version)
- Diced jalapeños or hot sauce (for extra spice)
- Additional vegetables like corn, bell peppers, or spinach
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in a skillet over medium heat until soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Add your choice of ground meat or beans, cooking until the meat is browned and cooked through or the beans are warmed. Stir in diced green chiles, tomatoes or salsa, cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer briefly to blend the flavors, about 5 minutes.
- Assemble the Pie: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish with oil or cooking spray. Layer tortillas evenly to cover the bottom of the dish. Spread a generous layer of the filling over the tortillas, then sprinkle with shredded cheese. Repeat layering with tortillas, filling, and cheese until all ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of cheese for a golden crust.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Place the assembled pie in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the edges of the tortillas slightly crisped.
- Rest and Slice: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set and makes it easier to cut neat servings.
Notes
- Use fresh or roasted green chiles for brighter, more vibrant flavor compared to canned chiles.
- Alternate layers of tortillas and filling thoughtfully to ensure balance in every bite.
- Letting the pie rest after baking helps the layers hold together and prevents spillage when slicing.
- Mixing cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses results in richer flavor and better melting.
- Adjust seasoning and spice levels according to your preference by tasting as you go.
- The recipe is easily customizable to suit vegetarian, dairy-free, or extra-spicy variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of pie)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg