Mexican Taco Casserole

 Mexican Taco Casserole-perfect weeknight meal 

Cook's Notes: This Mexican Taco Casserole is such a versatile dish. You can add more or less ingredients depending on your family’s taste preferences. You can add a can of black beans, black olives, or corn, whatever you like. If you don’t have a jalapeño, add a drained can of chopped green chiles. Corn tortillas really make the dish shine. 
But don’t add in all your favorite taco ingredients in the casserole. Some are better added on top, after it’s cooked. Sliced avocados, chopped fresh tomatoes, and perhaps some green onions…all good choices. Add a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce if you like spicy. Any way you make it, this Mexican Taco Casserole is comfort food at it’s best.

Recipe adapted from imbored-letsgo.com
Directions:

• 8 corn tortillas (6-inch)
• 1 lb. ground turkey, ground beef or Italian sausage
• 3/4 cup sweet onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• 1 cup mini sweet peppers, red and yellow
• 1 can fire roasted tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1-1/2 cups frozen corn or canned Mexicorn
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chile powder
• ¼ c. chopped cilantro
• 3 cups Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend-low fat, divided
• Assorted toppings: diced tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, green onions, sour cream

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 9 baking dish.
• In a large skillet, brown meat with diced onions, garlic, peppers, and jalapeño. Season with cumin and chile powder, and add in tomatoes and broth. Simmer for about 10 minutes for flavors to combine. Add cilantro, beans, and corn. Stir to combine.
• Alternate tortillas, meat mixture, and cheeses layers are in a baking dish. You will have two layers, ending with a meat layer. Tear tortillas to fill in spaces in the baking dish.
• Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes, uncovered, until hot and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting.
  

I know I have probably overdone the Southwestern blooming plants, but this Sagurao is amazing and the only one in the neighborhood blooming!

FUN FACTS

1. Peak blooming is from early May to early June
2. They have a short lifespan
The flower blooms for less than 24 hours, opening at nighttime and remaining open the following day.

The whole saguaro, though, can produce many blooms throughout the season.
3. They get a little help from their friends
The saguaro flower relies on several desert dwellers to help with the pollination process. At night, that's the lesser long-nosed and Mexican long-tongued bat.
According to the Desert Museum, bees and birds, such as the white-winged dove, pollinate the flowers during the daytime.
4. Saguaro flowers are often described as having a pungently sweet melon scent. Bats and other wildlife can't get enough.
5. It's the official state flower of Arizona, designated in 1931.

Since I was unable to photograph the very top, I borrowed this last photo from the Internet.