Mexican Casserole

I forgot to take a picture of our dinner tonight but it was really good just VERY spicy (according to the rest of my family). I didn't think it was too bad but I'm a little more tolerant of that sort of thing. ;) I used a "hot & spicy" taco seasoning packet so I think that was where the kick came from.

In efforts to use up some more ground beef, I made this recipe. I've made something similar to this dish with chicken here. Chicken or beef are both delicious!

You will need:
1# ground beef
1 can of Rotel
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 bag of Doritos or generic form, crushed
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
water

Brown & drain the ground beef. Over low heat, add Rotel, taco seasoning, cream of chicken soup and some water (I filled the empty soup can halfway). Heat this through and stir until well blended.

In a 9x13, layer half of the crushed chips, half of the meat mixture, and half of the cheese. Repeat the layers.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes.

**I was going to add some refried beans into the meat mixture but I realized I didn't have any. I thought black beans would be good...my family would not! I think corn would also be a good thing to add in but again, my family would not care for it. I did make corn on the side and added it in myself. I thought it was good!! :)

ENJOY!!

Burritos

I have made these several times now and we really like them!! I make a bunch of them ahead of time and freeze them. A very quick & easy meal!!

You will need:
2 cans of refried beans
1 c. salsa
3 c. cooked chicken, chopped (I have also used 1# ground beef, cooked and drained)
3 c. shredded cheddar or mexican blend cheese
flour tortillas (about 16 or so...depends on size of tortilla)

I combine the beans, 1/2 c. salsa, meat and 2 c. cheese in a large bowl and stir it all together until it is mixed well. Then I spread the meat/bean mixture into the center of the tortilla and roll it up. Place them in a pan, spread remaining salsa over the top and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or so.

When I freeze these, I just roll up the burritos and place in a ziploc freezer bag. When I am ready to bake, I pull out what I need and put in a baking dish and let them thaw in the refrigerator. When I am ready to bake, I spread 1/2 c. salsa and sprinkle with about 1 c. cheese over the top and put in the oven.

ENJOY!!!

*I adapted the recipe for these a little bit from Money Saving Mom.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Up until recently, I had a huge stockpile of taco seasoning...but with coupons not being as available as they once were, my stockpile dwindled and I had no more taco seasoning packets left. So, I gave the homemade version (found here) a try and I thought it tasted really close to store-bought! It is made with ingredients I already had on hand so I didn't need to buy a thing to do it! :)

You will need:
1/4 c. chili powder
1 1/2 t. onion powder
1 1/2 t. garlic powder
1 1/2 t. cumin
1 1/2 t. oregano
1/2 t. paprika
1 t. salt
1 t. pepper

Mix in a small bowl and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Use 2 rounded tablespoons in place of one taco seasoning packet.

*The author of this recipe also suggested if you like it a little spicier, then you could add 1 t. of red pepper flakes. I did not do this but will probably try it next time.

Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

These are SO good!! Give them a try!! :)

You will need:
3-4 chicken breasts, cooked & cubed
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, cubed*
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles
12 flour tortillas for fajitas
2 cans (10 oz. ea.) green chile enchilada sauce
3/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Oven 400 degrees. Spray 9x13 baking dish.

In skillet over medium heat, add cream cheese & chiles to cooked chicken. Cook & stir till cream cheese is melted. Spoon chicken filling into tortilla, roll up and place seam side down in baking dish. Pour enchilada sauce over top, sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake 15-20 minutes--till hot & cheese is melted.

*I use fat free cream cheese or neufchatel.

ENJOY!! :)

Mexican Chicken

This was DELICIOUS!!! I have made this recipe a few times in the past and thought it was okay. A friend shared this same recipe with me BUT there was one difference in the ingredient list. Doritos instead of soft flour tortilla shells!! It was THE best change ever!!! It changed the recipe completely and made it taste SO much better!! (Thanks Laura!!)

You will need:
1 bag of Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos, crushed
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can of Rotel (I drained the juice off)
4 chicken breast halves, cooked and chopped
1- 8 oz. bag of Mexican blend cheese

Mix soups together in a bowl.

Spray bottom of 9x13 dish.

Layer in dish:
1/3 Doritos
1/2 soup mixture
1/2 of Rotel
1/2 of chicken
1/2 of cheese
Repeat layers.
Final layer will be the last of the Doritos.

I baked at 350 for about 30-40 minutes.

**I only put the Rotel on one side of the dish because it can get quite spicy at times, especially for the kids.

This is a meal that would work well as a freezer meal too!


ENJOY!!! :)

A Family Favorite: Taco Casserole

You will need:
Crushed Tortilla Chips (about 2-3 cups)
1 - 1 1/2 # taco meat
Cottage Cheese (about 1 cup or so)
Sour Cream (about 1 cup or so)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (about 2-3 cups)*

Spray the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Combine cottage cheese & sour cream together; set aside. Spread half of the crushed chips on the bottom of dish. Then layer half of the meat and then half of the cottage cheese/sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese. Repeat the layers with remaining ingredients.

Bake at 350 for about 30-35 minutes.

YUM!! Enjoy!! :)

*You can also use Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend of some sort...whatever you have on hand!

Layered Mexican Dip

I am in the process of moving all of my recipes over here from my other blog. I posted this one a long time ago. Some of these are recipes I haven't made in a long time...just might have to make this one again soon! YUM!!

You will need:

2- 8 oz. pkgs. fat free cream cheese or neufchatel
1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
1 can Rotel, drained
1-2 c. cheddar or colby jack shredded cheese

In 11x7 baking dish, spread cream cheese in bottom. Layer beans, Rotel and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

ENJOY!