South of the Border

It’s no secret that I love lasagna and how it consists of thick layers, soft noodles, and cheesy goodness.  The concept is simple: layer, repeat, layer, repeat, etc.  Why should this concept only be used for Italian fare?  Why not mix it up with a little south of the border flair?!  Just a disclaimer, this is not the healthiest meal I’ve ever made!  However, it does make for a nice treat, such as a laid-back Sunday night dinner with your significant other.  Pair a small slice with a couple of healthy, unprocessed sides, and enjoy!

 

Cheesy Mexican Casserole

Ingredients 

I jalapeno

3 cloves garlic

1 pound lean ground beef

1 package taco seasoning

1 can cheese soup

1 can water

1/8 cup chopped cilantro

4-6 tortillas

Directions

Set oven to 350 degrees.

1)  Cut jalapeno in half.  Remove seeds and membrane from center.

2) Finely dice jalapeno into tiny pieces.

3)  Mince garlic.

4)  Heat pan over medium heat.  Lightly drizzle olive oil around the pan and add garlic and jalapeno.  Cook 3-5 minutes.

5)  Add in ground beef and cook until browned.  Drain grease as needed.

6)   Add in taco seasoning…

7) …and Cheese Soup.

8)  Fill soup can with water.  Add to mixture, stir, and bring to a boil.

9)  Stir in chopped cilantro.

10)  Add 1 tortilla to dish.

11)  Add 1/3 meat mixture on top of tortilla.  Then add another tortilla, mixture, tortilla, mixture.

12)  Top with one last tortilla and place in oven.

13)  Bake for 20 minutes.  Then broil on high 1-2 minutes until top tortilla is golden brown.

14)  Let cool for 5-10 minutes, then cut into slices.  I served alongside homemade beans, (recipe to come!!), and romaine lightly drizzled with fresh lime juice.  I topped the casserole with a dollop of sour cream and a few pieces of cilantro to garnish.

Ole!

 

Questions:

Do you like Mexican food?  If so, what is your favorite dish to order or make?

 

How do you balance out a meal or entree that may be heavier in calories, or more processed, than the meals you usually eat?