Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Recipes
  3. 36 Tasty Tex-Mex Recipes To Bring the Fiesta To Your Family

36 Tasty Tex-Mex Recipes To Bring the Fiesta To Your Family

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough
Skip gallery slides
FB
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Amongst all the popular Southern casseroles out there—the beloved squash casserole, the dependable green bean casserole, the hearty ground beef casserole—nothing stands out in flavor and flair as much as a creamy, cheesy Tex-Mex casserole. Texans have mastered their own cuisine of Mexican-inspired dishes that make the whole family happy on any night of the week. We're talking to-die-for brisket tacos, tamale pie, chili cheese enchiladas, cowboy beans, pulled pork nachos, and (of course) corn chip pie. 

If your mouth isn't watering yet, just wait until you scroll through all of these sauce-laden, cheese-topped, melty Tex-Mex dishes that are guaranteed to make dinnertime anything but boring. Texans are Southerners, after all—so you'll find your share of casserole bakes, slow-cooker standouts, party dips, and easy cast-iron skillet suppers to make life easy and to feed a crowd.

Here are 33 super tasty Tex-Mex recipes to make every meal at home feel like a fiesta.

Start Slideshow

1 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Beef Tamale Pie

Beef Tamale Pie
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Beef Tamale Pie

We can't decide which part we love the most: the bubbly, super flavorful beef filling or the toasty cornbread topping (made with store-bought corn muffin mix!) dotted with jalapeños. 

1 of 33

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Chili Cheese Enchiladas

Chili Cheese Enchiladas
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chili Cheese Enchiladas

Instead of using a canned enchilada sauce, this recipe makes a Texas-inspired chili gravy that is insanely delicious. You can use ground beef, leftover chicken, or even a rotisserie chicken to add extra protein. 

2 of 33

3 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Slow-Cooker Carnitas Tacos

Slow-Cooker Carnitas Tacos
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Carnitas Tacos

This convenient shortcut for crowd-pleasing carnitas tacos will totally transform Tex-Mex Tuesday. Broiling the meat on a sheet pan to brown and crisp the entire batch at once makes all the difference. 

3 of 33

Advertisement

4 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans

Throw pinto beans, bacon, bacon drippings (oh yeah), garlic, onion, chipotle, and other ingredients to a slow cooker and then forget about it. The result? The best Tex-Mex side dish ever. 

4 of 33

5 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Austin Diner-Style Queso

Austin Diner-Style Queso
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Austin Diner-Style Queso

Every meal should start with a batch or two of this creamy cheese dip, but especially when there are little ones or extra company present. Add canned green chiles or jalapeños for extra heat if desired. 

5 of 33

6 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pulled Pork Nachos

Pulled Pork Nachos
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Pulled Pork Nachos

You'll love this easy-to-assemble recipe for a fun snack, quick-fix dinner, or party appetizer. To make it easy, grab some shredded smoked pork from your favorite BBQ joint.

6 of 33

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Cheesy Taco Casserole

Easy Taco Casserole
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Recipe: Cheesy Taco Casserole

Turn tacos into a quick and easy beef casserole supper complete with toppings everyone can pick and choose. 

7 of 33

8 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Queso-Filled Mini Peppers

Queso-Filled Mini Peppers
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Queso-Filled Mini Peppers

Have you ever seen something cuter than these super cheesy mini peppers? They'll disappear before your eyes. 

8 of 33

9 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Frito Pie

West Texas Chili
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Frito Pie

Say hello to Texas' version of a walking taco filled with beefy goodness, like chili, crunchy corn chips, shredded cheese, and diced white onion. It starts with traditional West Texas Chili and ends with a happy belly.

9 of 33

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Creamy Tex-Mex Cornbread Bake

Cream Tex-Mex Cornbread Bake
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Tex-Mex Cornbread Bake

Cornbread? With Tex-Mex? Sounds about right with this Southern crowd. This skillet bake is surprisingly healthy yet hearty with ground turkey.

10 of 33

11 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Texas-Style Enchilada Casserole

Texas-Style Enchilada Casserole Recipes
Credit: Photo William Dickey / Styling Katherine Eckert / Food Styling Alyssa Porubcan

Recipe: Texas-Style Enchilada Casserole

Like a cross between a traditional enchilada and an easy casserole, this beefy supper recipe is bound to hit the table again and again. 

11 of 33

12 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Sheet Pan Fajitas

Sheet Pan Fajitas
Credit: Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

Recipe: Sheet Pan Fajitas

Don't sweat over the stovetop for this 20-minute recipe that calls for simply combining basic ingredients like chicken breasts, onion, bell peppers, and spices (cumin, chili powder, and paprika) onto a sheet pan. 

12 of 33

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Huevos Rancheros Bake

Huevos Rancheros Bake
Credit: Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Huevos Rancheros Bake

Because brunch deserves a Tex-Mex twist, too. The egg-topped skillet is a cheesy, layered dream.

13 of 33

14 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Creamy Grits Mexi-Casserole

Creamy Grits Mexi-Casserole
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Creamy Grits Mexi-Casserole

This slow-cooker casserole is a hit from morning to dinnertime. Using tortilla soup broth gives it so much extra Tex-Mex flavor.

14 of 33

15 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Crock-Pot Salsa Chicken

Crock-Pot Salsa Chicken
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Crock-Pot Salsa Chicken

This is the most versatile weeknight recipe to have on hand. Use it as a taco filler, put it over rice with toppings, or spoon over chips to make sheet-pan nachos. 

15 of 33

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Credit: Courtesy Oxmoor House

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

After tasting this super flavorful Tex-Mex soup, you'll know why it is one of Martina McBride's most popular recipes from her cookbook.

16 of 33

17 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

San Antonio Beef Puffy Tacos

San Antonio Beef Puffy Tacos
Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: San Antonio Beef Puffy Tacos

This puffy tacos are as fun as they are tasty. Filled with superbly seasoned beef and all the toppings, they're an easy favorite. 

17 of 33

18 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

McGuire's Margarita

McGuire’s Paloma Recipe
Credit: Stephen Karlisch

Recipe: McGuire's Margarita

Say hello to every Tex-Mex taco's best friend. This simple recipe for a classic margarita on the rocks features the perfect ratio of sweet, salty, and boozy. 

18 of 33

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Texas Caviar Rice and Beans

Texas Caviar Rice and Beans
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Texas Caviar Rice and Beans

A beloved Lone Star dip recipe gets transformed into a satisfying main dish, adding rice, cheese, and all the toppings—we recommend a hearty dollop of guacamole!

19 of 33

20 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Easy Steak Fajitas

Easy Steak Fajitas
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Easy Steak Fajitas

This dependable recipe is ready after using only a handful of ingredients that work hard so you don't have to. Perfect fajitas coming right up. 

20 of 33

21 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Breakfast Enchiladas

Breakfast Enchiladas
Credit: Hector M Sanchez

Recipe: Breakfast Enchiladas

This is the ultimate brunch recipe for when you're feeding a crowd or simply want plenty of leftovers. 

21 of 33

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Sheet Pan Nachos

Sheet Pan Nachos
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Sheet Pan Nachos

Take this genius sheet-pan version of nachos straight from the oven to your table—and watch everyone go wild, family-style. 

22 of 33

23 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

Slow-cooker beef brisket and crunchy fruit salsa might be the most delicious duo you'll meet all year. These are company-worthy tacos. 

23 of 33

24 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Smothered Enchiladas

Smothered Enchiladas
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Smothered Enchiladas

Southerners like anything when it's smothered, especially when smothered with cheesy, creamy, spiced Tex-Mex flavor. This simple recipe is all you need. 

24 of 33

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup, chicken tortilla soup, tortilla soup recipe

Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Word on the street is that this soup is irresistible, made with tender chicken, black beans, corn, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, jalapeño pepper, and chiles. 

25 of 33

26 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

It's hard to beat shredded chicken tacos, and now you can turn them out without any huff or fuss using your trusty slow cooker. 

26 of 33

27 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Taco-Tot Casserole

Taco-Tot Casserole image
Credit: Gina DeSimone; Food Styling: Blakeslee Giles; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Taco-Tot Casserole

The things we'll do with a bag of frozen tater tots...including this casserole bake filled with cheese, ground beef, corn, black beans, and green chiles. 

27 of 33

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This casserole calls for layering corn tortillas as opposed to rolling each individual enchilada before baking, which is about to make your life a whole bunch easier. 

28 of 33

29 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole

Nashville Hot Chicken Dip
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole

Like regular guacamole—but make it extra Southern. We don't think any Texans would be against the addition of bacon and pimientos. 

29 of 33

30 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Spicy Watermelon Refresher

Spicy Watermelon Refresher
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spicy Watermelon Refresher

Tequila, fresh watermelon, and serrano peppers make the most fun trio you've ever met. This spritz is perfect for any cookout. 

30 of 33

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Tex-Mex Shrimp Cocktail

Tex-Mex Shrimp Cocktail
Credit: Photo: Beau Gustafson

Recipe: Tex-Mex Shrimp Cocktail

A citrusy hot pepper jelly mixture coats shrimp, mango, and chopped veggies in this fun take on a shrimp cocktail. Serve as a main dish or appetizer. 

31 of 33

32 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Taco Pie

Taco Pie
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Taco Pie

This isn't your average taco casserole. Corn tortillas are partially fried before forming the base of the pie, which gives so much extra flavor and texture. Garnished with crumbly queso fresco, fresh cilantro, sour cream, and a squeeze of lime juice, this one is any Tex-Mex lover's dream.

32 of 33

33 of 33

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Flank Steak Tostadas

Flank Steak Tostadas
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Flank Steak Tostadas

Tostadas are crunchy corn tortillas that are usually deep-fried and topped with yummy ingredients—in this case, tender flank steak and all the fixings. 

33 of 33

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Kaitlyn Yarborough

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 33 Beef Tamale Pie
    2 of 33 Chili Cheese Enchiladas
    3 of 33 Slow-Cooker Carnitas Tacos
    4 of 33 Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans
    5 of 33 Austin Diner-Style Queso
    6 of 33 Pulled Pork Nachos
    7 of 33 Cheesy Taco Casserole
    8 of 33 Queso-Filled Mini Peppers
    9 of 33 Frito Pie
    10 of 33 Creamy Tex-Mex Cornbread Bake
    11 of 33 Texas-Style Enchilada Casserole
    12 of 33 Sheet Pan Fajitas
    13 of 33 Huevos Rancheros Bake
    14 of 33 Creamy Grits Mexi-Casserole
    15 of 33 Crock-Pot Salsa Chicken
    16 of 33 Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
    17 of 33 San Antonio Beef Puffy Tacos
    18 of 33 McGuire's Margarita
    19 of 33 Texas Caviar Rice and Beans
    20 of 33 Easy Steak Fajitas
    21 of 33 Breakfast Enchiladas
    22 of 33 Sheet Pan Nachos
    23 of 33 Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa
    24 of 33 Smothered Enchiladas
    25 of 33 Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup
    26 of 33 Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
    27 of 33 Taco-Tot Casserole
    28 of 33 Chicken Enchilada Casserole
    29 of 33 Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole
    30 of 33 Spicy Watermelon Refresher
    31 of 33 Tex-Mex Shrimp Cocktail
    32 of 33 Taco Pie
    33 of 33 Flank Steak Tostadas

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    36 Tasty Tex-Mex Recipes To Bring the Fiesta To Your Family
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.