Mexican Casserole

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs. Ground Beef
1 Medium size Yellow Onion (diced)
Garlic (5 cloves diced)
1-2 cans of Rotel (diced tomatoes/green chilis)
2 cans of Refried Beans (with green chilis)
1 bunch of cilantro (diced)
1-2 large bottles of Taco Sauce
2 packs of Soft Taco size Tortillas
(2) 4 cup bags of Shredded Cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack etc.)
1 bag of Tortilla Chips
TSB Lone Star Chili & Fajita Seasoning
Sour Cream

Directions:

Heat your oven to 350 degrees.

Place Ground Beef, Onions, and Garlic in a Dutch Oven or pot/pan and cook until meat is browned and the onion/garlic have cooked down.. Add Rotel, Refied Beans, some Cilantro (save some for later). Stir all ingredients until they create a nice smooth mixture as the beans heat up.

In a large casserole dish, drizzle the bottom of the dish with taco sauce (see pictures). Take 1 package of Soft Taco sized Tortillas and cut them in half (half moons). Line the bottom of the casserole dish with the tortillas, in this order (4 half moons across, then 2 to finish the top, 2 to finish the bottom) which will start the first layer of this casserole (a square will be created. see pictures).

Next, spoon the meat/bean mixture on top of the tortillas and neatly spread the mixture out to the edges of the dish. Add shredded cheese on top of the meat/bean mixture, and then drizzle more Taco Sauce on top of the cheese. Repeat this process (sauce, tortillas, meat/beans, cheese).

The casserole should be 2 to 3 layers thick depending on how you decide to construct it.

Note: Adding a bit more cilantro, and some TSB Lone Star Chili & Fajita Seasoning as you build your casserole layers really creates a nice bold flavor!

Once you have built your casserole, which is finished for now with tortillas and shredded cheese on top (see picture) you will cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil. Place into your 350 degree oven. Cook for 30 minutes and then remove the casserole from the oven. Remove the aluminum foil.

Top the cooked casserole with Crushed Tortilla Chips, and more Shredded Cheese. Place the casserole back into the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the chips are a nice golden brown in color. Dust the casserole with some chopped cilantro for a nice finishing touch. Serve with more crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, and taco sauce. Enjoy!