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8/31/11

Quick and Easy Mexican Casserole

Now that our house is on the market, we are in the middle of relocating 1000 miles away and I just got 2 kids off to college; 'dinner' time in our home is completely different than it's ever been before.

My cooking and baking revolves around "how long will it take?" and "how much of a mess will it make?" and "will it leave a lingering aroma in the house?" more than what sounds good, looks good or what I'm in the mood for.

Sunday night I returned home from having a house showing, and with no other showings scheduled over the next couple days I was ready to cook.  My busy full time schedule at work on top of everything else I was handling that week had me exhausted and eating quick meals by myself at the kitchen counter (that didn't take long, didn't smell up the kitchen and didn't make a mess to prepare!).  By Sunday night I wanted a nice, hot, comfort food.  Mexican Casserole it was.

Starting with a base of ground beef or pork, you can add or delete what you have in the cupboard.  That's the awesomeness of a recipe like this one.  It will turn out.  It will taste good.  It can usually be served as a casserole or a dip with tortillas as well.  Yum!


Quick & Easy Mexican Casserole
Add what you want, leave out what you don't.  Just keep the general idea and have at least 4-5 layers.

1 lb. ground beef or ground pork
1 onion, chopped
1 can refried beans or a can of northern beans, drained
1 can green chili peppers, chopped
2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 c salsa
1 can white or yellow corn (or Mexican blend style)
1 - 16. oz. container sour cream
black olives
green olives

Brown the ground beef with the chopped onion.  Place the refried beans in the bottom of a casserole dish, top with the drained beef/onion mixture.  Top with layers of the chilis, 1 cup cheese, salsa, corn, sour cream and the rest of the cheese.  Finish with green and/or black olives.  Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes until warmed completely through.  Serve as a casserole with warm flour tortillas or as a dip for tortilla chips.


I decided to mix the beans WITH the ground pork this time

Mmm cheese.  I always double what it calls for

More cheese on top!  Cheese is God's way of saying "Hey, I love you guys!"

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