Taco Casserole

I decided to try a few new recipes this week for dinner. I'm known for finding a good recipe and repeating it every other week. What can I say? I know what I like and I eat what I like! I came across a recipe via Pinterest for a taco casserole. I edited it a bit to make it my own.

Since the serving size is so large for my small family of 3 (well really family of 2 since baby David won't be eating this), I decided to freeze half and bake half. You can always just half the recipe of you would like.

Start with browning your meat with the onions. Then add your cans of corn, Rotel, tomato sauce and beans.

Alternate layers of meat with the crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheese.

Top with shredded cheese, sour cream and/or tomatoes.

Servings: 8-10 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can of kidney beans (or chili beans, black beans, etc); drained
• 1 can of corn; drained
• 8 oz can of tomato sauce
• 1 pkg Taco Seasoning (1.25 ounce)
• 10 oz can of Rotel
• 3 cups of shredded cheese (Mexican blend, Colby, etc.), divided
• 3 cups tortilla chips, crushed and divided

Garnish: (optional)

• Chopped Tomato
• Shredded Lettuce
• A side of sour cream!

DIRECTIONS

1. Brown your ground beef with the onions, drain.
2. Add can of beans, corn, tomato sauce, Rotel and taco seasoning.
3. Stir until well blended and simmer for 10 minutes. (If the mixture seems a little dry then you can add just a couple teaspoons of water). 
4. Pour 1/2 of meat mixture into baking pan and top with 1/2 of your crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheese. Repeat with a second layer.
5. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. 
6. Top with lettuce and tomatoes. 

Thanks to my mom for my awesome Easter gift! I was able to use my Le Creuset square casserole dish for this meal. You can get one at Chefs Catalog for around $85.