30 Best Tex-Mex Recipes That Capture the Bold Flavors of the Southwest
There are so many ways to enjoy beans, beef, and cheese!
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Tex-Mex is one of those irresistible cuisines that's tough to pin down. But that's part of its magic! Rooted in the bold flavors of traditional Mexican cooking and shaped by the hearty appetite of the American Southwest, Tex-Mex has carved out its own delicious identity. Think beefy, cheesy comfort food with a punch of cumin, chili powder, and even more cheese. The best Tex-Mex recipes include cowboy-approved fare, like Ree Drummond's cowboy breakfast casserole, and zesty updates on classic dishes, like green chile cheeseburgers and tamale pie. Can't stop the cravings? Keep reading for the full list of Tex-Mex recipes, including nachos, burritos, and bakes that are certified crowd-pleasers.
If you've ever been to a Tex-Mex restaurant before, you know the sound of sizzling fajitas coming around the bend. "When I get a hankering for beef fajitas, I pretty much can think of nothing else until I eat them," Ree says of the classic Tex-Mex dish. Luckily, her recipe for fajitas will satisfy that craving, but we've also made sure to include chicken fajita pasta for another fun twist. The best part is that these Tex-Mex recipes are easy to make any night of the week. Try the taco casserole for a family-friendly meal or make the Southwestern pasta salad for your next backyard cookout. There's even a recipe for cinnamon-spice sopapillas that's perfect for a Southwestern dessert! So, go ahead shake up a classic Texas ranch water cocktail and cook up one of the recipes here.
King Ranch Chicken
This classic Texas casserole is a cheese-lovers dream! Here, layers of tender shredded chicken, a tangy, creamy sauce, gooey melted cheese, and soft tortillas get baked into melty perfection.
Get Ree's King Ranch Chicken recipe.
Cowboy Breakfast Casserole
You don't have to wait til dinner to enjoy your favorite Tex-Mex flavors. Instead, whip up Ree's cowboy breakfast casserole, loaded with bacon, sausage, potatoes, and pico de gallo! Don't forget to top it off with plenty of crispy tortilla strips.
Get Ree's Cowboy Breakfast Casserole recipe.
Tex-Mex Shepherd’s Pie
Drawing inspiration from the classic British dish, this is a Tex-Mex recipe like you've never seen! Beneath the golden blanket of baked, cheesy mashed potatoes is a warm filling of savory ground beef, fire-roasted corn, and black beans.
Get Ree's Tex-Mex Shepherd's Pie recipe.
Veggie Fajitas
Vegetarians can join the fajita fun, too! Seared zucchini, squash, peppers, and mushrooms are topped with pico de gallo, cheese, and crema for a meal so flavorful you won't miss the meat.
Get Ree's Veggie Fajitas recipe.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Next Taco Tuesday, let your slow cooker do the hard work for you. In this recipe, juicy chicken breasts simmer low and slow in a bold, spiced tomato sauce. The result? Tender, pull-apart chicken that's ready to be tucked into soft tortillas and dressed up with your favorite toppings!
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos recipe.
Queso Totchos
Elevate typical nachos by swapping the tortilla chips for crispy, golden tater tots! Then, pile them high with chorizo queso, jalapeño slices, olives, pickled red onions, and cilantro.
Get Ree's Queso Totchos recipe.
Taco Pie
Savory pies aren't limited to pizza. Crispy crescent dough crust also makes a great base for all your favorite taco toppings, like cheese, seasoned beef, tomatoes, lettuce, and sour cream.
Get Ree's Taco Pie recipe.
Ranch Water
You can't have a Tex-Mex feast without a tall glass of Ranch Water to wash it down! Ree's go-to cocktail calls for just three ingredients—tequila, lime juice, and sparkling mineral water—for a refreshing and easy sip.
Get the Ranch Water recipe.
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Chicken enchiladas are just as tasty in casserole form. This baked chicken dinner is like a Tex-Mex lasagna, featuring layers of creamy shredded chicken filling, corn tortillas, and Monterey jack cheese.
Get Ree's Chicken Enchilada Casserole recipe.
Cowboy Stew
Here's another cowboy-approved Tex-Mex recipe to try. This cozy stew is basically a cross between chili and beef stew, plus a few chunks of smoked sausage for extra flavor. Also in the mix are ranch-style beans, potatoes, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilis.
Get Ree's Cowboy Stew recipe.
Southwestern Pasta Salad
There are so many classic Tex-Mex flavors in this creamy pasta salad. For starters, the sweet corn, shredded cheese, and pinto beans are paired with a smoky chipotle pepper and cumin dressing. Then, there's avocado and cilantro for a burst of freshness!
Get the Southwestern Pasta Salad recipe.
Beef Fajitas
These grilled flank steak fajitas have all the fixins, like sizzling peppers and onions, grated cheese, salsa, and sour cream. It's one of Ree's "favorite things on earth!"
Get Ree's Beef Fajitas recipe.
Queso Dip
Kick off any Tex-Mex party with this classic cheesy dip. The ooey-gooey goodness comes from two types of cheese: white American and pepper jack for a spicy kick.
Get the Queso Dip recipe.
Southwestern Salad
This veggie-packed salad is light and refreshing, but you can also add some heft by topping it with grilled steak slices or even BBQ chicken. Either way, you won't want to leave off the zesty avocado dressing.
Get the Southwestern Salad recipe.
Chicken Fajita Pasta
Can't decide between fajita night and pasta night? Now you don't have to pick just one. This fun cuisine mash-up takes Tex-Mex to a whole new level.
Get Ree's Chicken Fajita Pasta recipe.
Tex-Mex Grain Bowls
Roasted vegetables seasoned with cumin and chili powder make this vegetarian grain bowl full of flavor. There's also pinto beans, avocado, and pickled jalapeños for good measure.
Get Ree's Tex-Mex Grain Bowls recipe.
Breakfast Burritos
There's nothing fancy about these breakfast burritos, but if you want to give them even more Tex-Mex flavor, Ree suggests swapping the sausage with chorizo and adding some pico de gallo or sour cream.
Get Ree's Breakfast Burritos recipe.
Chicken Nachos
These nachos are saucy, spicy, and cheesy—what's not to love? You can get creative with whatever fixings you like, or simply dive right in without any fuss.
Get Ree's Chicken Nachos recipe.
Taco Casserole
For a new take on taco night, try making the dish in a casserole instead. It's layered with ground beef, beans, cheese, and tortilla chips, then topped with all your favorite taco toppings.
Get the Taco Casserole recipe.
Cowboy Beans
If you love baked beans and you also love chili, get ready to try your new favorite cowboy dish. It's a big pot of comfort with smoky spices that's perfect for serving up with a hunk of cornbread.
Get the Cowboy Beans recipe.
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