Go Back
–+ servings
A serving utensil getting a scoop of Ground Beef Texas Trash from the dish.
Print

Ground Beef Texas Trash

Ground beef Texas trash is a layered baked dish that works as a dip or a main meal, with seasoned beef and melted cheese served with chips or over rice.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 569kcal
Author Brandie Skibinski

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 (1 ounce) packets taco seasoning (divided use, see notes below)
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 cups water
  • 10 ounce can red enchilada sauce (divided use)
  • 8 ounces refried beans (½ a 16 ounce can)
  • 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 3 cups shredded colby jack cheese (divided use)
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 ounce can green chiles, undrained

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 11x7-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 pounds ground beef and cook, breaking it up into crumbles, until no pink remains (about 8-10 minutes.) Drain excess grease and put back into the skillet.
  • Add 1 and ½ packets of the taco seasoning, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon ground cumin. Stir well to combine, then cook for 2 minutes, until fragrant.
  • Add 2 cups water and stir in. Allow to simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed, but it is still saucy, turn off heat and set aside.
    Water being added to a skillet of ground beef.
  • Pour half of the red enchilada sauce into the prepared baking dish and coat the bottom.
  • Add small dollops of the 8 ounces refried beans on top.
    Dollops of refried beans in enchilada sauce in a baking dish.
  • Add the meat mixture on top of the beans.
    Meat mixture on top of enchilada sauce with refried beans in a baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, whip 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature until smooth with an electric hand mixer.
    A bowl of whipped cream cheese.
  • Add the remaining taco seasoning, remaining enchilada sauce, half of the Colby Jack cheese, 4 green onions, thinly sliced and 4 ounce can green chiles, undrained. Stir to combine.
    A bowl of cream cheese, taco seasoning, remaining enchilada sauce, half of the Colby Jack cheese, green onions, and green chiles.
  • Smooth the cream cheese mixture over the meat.
    Cream cheese mixture over meat and refried beans with sauce.
  • Sprinkle the top evenly with the remaining shredded Colby Jack.
    Shredded cheese over the layered Texas Trash.
  • Bake uncovered on the middle oven rack for about 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly along the edges.
    A baked dish of Ground Beef Texas Trash.
  • Serve immediately with chips for dipping or over rice if serving as a meal.
    A serving utensil getting a serving of Ground Beef Texas Trash from the glass baking dish.

Notes

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
  • If you are concerned about salt, I would consider using low or no salt taco seasoning. Or make your own Homemade Taco Seasoning so you can control the salt levels. 

Nutrition

Calories: 569kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 39g | Sodium: 1677mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g
QR Code linking back to recipe