Arriba, Arrriba! Hola, knitters and veggers!
This Sunday's menu is brought to you by my love of South-of-the-Border food.
Once you see how fast this comes together and how good it tastes, you will be saying "Arriba!", too! By the way, did you know that the word arriba in spanish is a nautical term meaning aloft or on the shore (according to whichever dictionary source you use)? Who knew? :)
This recipe is written to be a lower-fat recipe, but feel free to amp up the protein to the higher-fat version if it pleases you. I love this recipe because it's easy, it's pretty quick to prepare and once it's in the oven, you only need to add a salad to make it a complete meal. Best of all, even kids like this (and it has b-e-a-n-s in it! You could just as easily make a small casserole without beans, if that particular protein won't fly in your household).
Without further ado, I bring you Mexican Lasagna/Tortilla Casserole!
Mexican Lasagna/Tortilla Casserole
Makes 6 servings
1 lb. ground chuck or sirloin
1 cup yellow onion, chopped
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup red or green pepper, chopped
6 light flour or regular corn tortillas or more to layer with (I use corn because we are a gluten-free family)
1-2 cups salsa (or however much you need to use in layers of the casserole)
6 oz. lower-fat cheddar cheese, grated or mix of monterey jack and cheddar
1/2 cup lower-fat sour cream
450 degree oven
Cook beef and onion.
Stir in beans and peppers.
Grease round 2 qt. or oblong baking dish.
Place 1 tortilla and 2 halves in the bottom (for oblong dish to cover with tortillas).
Layer 3 Tbs. salsa, then 1/3 beef/bean mixture, then 1/3 cheese. Repeat.
Last layer top with remaining tortillas then salsa then sour cream then beef/bean then cheese.
Bake 10 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.
Serves like Lasagna.
Enjoy!
Have a Spicy One. :)
