Healthy Mexican Casserole

INGREDIENTS

2 red bell peppers
2 green bell peppers
1 jalapeno or 2 chipotle peppers (optional - just for more kick)
½ red onion
2 cups frozen corn
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoon cumin
salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon is a good ballpark measure)
2 cups Mexican cheese (mine was a Sargento blend)
18-20 corn tortillas
1 can refried beans
2 cups red enchilada sauce
cilantro, guacamole, or sour cream for garnishments.

INSTRUCTIONS

Roast the veggies: Dice the peppers and mince the onions. Heat a large nonstick skillet with NO oil over high heat. Add the onion and peppers, sprinkle with chili and cumin, and do not stir. This allows the peppers to roast and brown on the outside. After a few minutes, give the pan a shake or stir and let the peppers sit again for a few more minutes without stirring. Remove and set aside. Repeat the roasting process with the corn, sprinkling with chili and cumin, removing from the heat when browned and roasted on the outside. Sprinkle the roasted veggies with a little bit of salt and toss to coat.

Prep the ingredients: Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan and preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the tortillas into thin strips. Put the refried beans in a bowl and mix with a little bit of water to make them easier to spread.

Assemble: Spread a little bit of sauce on the bottom of the pan. Layer in order: half of the tortilla strips, ALL the beans, half of the veggies, half of the sauce, half of the cheese. Cover with the other half of the tortilla strips, veggies, sauce, and cheese.
Bake: Cover with foil (I usually spray mine with cooking spray) and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted. Serve with guacamole, fresh cilantro, sour cream, or anything in the world that you want.

Taco Pie

Ingredients:

2 c. hamburger
1 c. shredded lettuce
1-4oz. can diced green chili's drained
2 Tbs. cilantro
8-10 inch flour tortillas
1-6 oz. avocado dip
1-16 oz. can refried beans
1 c. sour cream
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
2 Tbs. sliced pitted ripe olives
2 Tbs. cilantro
Salsa

Directions:

In a bowl combine chicken, lettuce, chili's, and cilantro. Set aside.

Place one of the tortillas on a large platter. Spread with half of the avocado dip. Then top with a second tortilla. Spread with half of the refried beans. Cover with a third tortilla. Sprinkle with half of the chicken-lettuce mixture. Add a forth tortilla. Spread with half of the sour cream sprinkle with half of the cheese. Repeat layers, ending with sour cream and cheese. Garnish with tomatoes, olives, and cilantro. To serve, cut into wedges. If desired, serve with salsa.

Bean & Cheese Burritos

Ingredients:

43oz refried beans (one BIG can & one regular can)
1 cup salsa
1 packet taco seasoning
Shredded cheese
Flour tortillas (I used fajita size)

Directions:

Mix refried beans, salsa, and taco seasoning in a bowl and mix.

Spread bean mixture down middle of tortilla and top with shredded cheese, then roll up on all 4 sides.

Wrap individually in plastic wrap and then store in gallon bag for freezing.

Tip:

I used fajita size tortillas and I ended up with 21 burritos.

You can also add hamburger, chicken, or any other ingredients that you prefer.

Mexican Pizza (like Taco Bell)

Ingredients:

1 cup refried beans
2 Roma tomatoes, diced finely
2/3 c. shredded cheese
2 green onions, sliced
1/3 c. enchilada sauce
4 flour tortillas
Cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a hot skillet or griddle with cooking spray and 'fry' the tortillas, flipping frequently so they don’t burn. You want them to get nice and crispy. Remove fried tortillas to a plate.
2. Heat the refried beans so they are warm. Place 2 tortillas on a baking sheet. Spread 1/2 cup of refried beans onto each tortilla. Place remaining tortillas on top of beans.
3. Pour half of enchilada sauce on top of each tortilla and spread around.
4. Add half of the chopped tomato on top of the sauce. Add 1/3 cup of cheese on top of each tortilla. Add half of the green onions on top of the cheese.
5. Place in oven and cook about 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!

Taco Pizza

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 (10oz) can refrigerated pizza crust
1 (16oz) can refried beans
2-3 cups shredded cheese
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup sliced black olives
4 green onions, chopped

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brown ground beef in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Drain grease. Add taco seasoning to the ground beef and follow package directions.

Unroll pizza crust on a 10x15 cookie sheet. Let dough set at room temperature for 5 minutes. Press the dough over the bottom and up along all 4 sides of the cookie sheet. Bake pizza dough for 8-10 minutes, or until light golden. Remove from oven.

Place refried beans in microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir well and then spread beans evenly over the top of the warm pizza crust. Top with the ground beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese and then add the tomatoes, black olives, and green onion.

Return to oven and bake another 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Creamy Burrito Casserole

1 lb ground beef
1/2 medium onion, chopped 
1 pkg taco seasoning
6 large flour tortillas
1 - 16 oz can refried beans
2-3 cups shredded cheese 
1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
4 ounces sour cream
Picante if desired

1. Brown meat & onion; drain.
2. Add taco seasoning and stir in refried beans.
3. Mix soup and sour cream in separate bowl.
4. Spread 1/2 sour cream mixture in bottom of casserole dish.
5. Tear up 3 tortillas and spread over sour cream mixture.
6. Put 1/2 the meat mixture over that.
7. Add a layer of cheese.
8. Repeat layers.
9. Bake uncovered at 350 for 20-30 mins