Description
Beef ‘n’ Bean Torta is a hearty, flavorful dish that layers seasoned ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and cheese between soft flour tortillas, all cooked together in a slow cooker. Perfect for a casual weeknight dinner or serving a crowd.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) pinto or black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1–1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
3 drops hot pepper sauce
4 flour tortillas (8 inches)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Minced fresh cilantro, salsa, sour cream, shredded lettuce, and chopped tomatoes (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Cut four 20×3-inch strips of heavy-duty foil and arrange them in a crisscross pattern at the bottom and up the sides of a 5-quart slow cooker, resembling spokes of a wheel. Coat the strips with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the beef mixture: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain excess fat. Stir in the beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, olives, chili powder, salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce. Mix well.
- Layer the torta: Spoon about 1-2/3 cups of the beef mixture into the prepared slow cooker. Place one tortilla on top, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat this layering process three more times, finishing with a final layer of beef mixture and cheese.
- Cook the torta: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until the torta is heated through and the cheese has melted.
- Serve: Using the foil strips as handles, carefully remove the torta from the slow cooker and transfer it to a platter. If desired, sprinkle with minced cilantro and serve with salsa, sour cream, shredded lettuce, and chopped tomatoes.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute or extra beans.
- Top with your favorite salsa, diced avocado, or a sprinkle of lime juice for extra freshness.
- For extra heat, add more hot pepper sauce, chopped jalapeños, or spicy pickled peppers.
- Use a different cheese such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a cheese blend if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
