Ever Ready: Taco Thursday

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Taco Thursday

Let's shake things up a bit-Taco Tuesday is OVERRATED. Let's celebrate Taco Thursday with a family-friendly meal. The recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart and serves 6.

Disclosure: I did take the liberty of substituting ground Italian sausage for the hamburger since I felt sausage gave the dish more flavor. So I did shake things up a bit.

Taco Casserole

Cook's Notes: Meat, beans, corn, and tomatoes, spiced with Elote seasoning bubbling under a crunchy gooey topping of tortilla chips with two kinds of cheese is a quick easy, and kid-friendly casserole. If you don't have Elote seasoning you can make your own recipe below in this list. Always taste test to adjust your seasoning to your liking.

1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef or 1 lb. Italian Sausage
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 can of black or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup diced mini red and yellow peppers
1 cup sweet onions, diced
1 small can of Mexicorn
1-14 oz. can diced tomatoes garlic and basil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2-3 teaspoons elote seasoning
4 cups corn tortillas, lightly crushed
1 cup each cheddar and Monterey cheese, shredded, reserve 1 cup

Optional toppings

olives, sour cream, jalapeno slices

Directions:

Mix together both kinds of cheese.
In a large skillet brown meat, onions, and peppers. Wipe pan clean.
Add in drained beans, corn, tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 cup cheese, and elote seasoning. On low, simmer for 30 minutes, stirring a few times.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pour skillet mixture into a 9 x 9 pan. Bake for 10 minutes. uncovered.
Mix 1 cup cheese with 4 cups crushed tortilla chips.