Beef Enchilada Casserole

Okay, I've been on a Mexican casserole kick these last couple weeks, lol. Here's another yummy casserole - this time using beef. This turned out super yummy but a little on the hot side. Little Princess Guinea Pig loved it but Princess Guinea Pig fell asleep before she got to try it (it was a looong first week of school for her).
This recipe is one that's easy to change it's level of hotness. I went with the smaller amounts on those items and made sure my can of diced tomatoes & chilies were mild.

Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
2 to 3 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 flour tortillas (7 inches)
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

In a skillet, cook the beef and onion until the meat is no longer pink drain. Add beans, chili powder, cumin and salt. Transfer to greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Arrange tortillas over the top. Combine soup and tomatoes; pour over the tortillas. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350º for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 8 servings.

Cheesy Lasagna

I'm currently looking for a yummy Lasagna dish and found this one that sounded really yummy and decided to give it a try. Though this Cheesy Lasagna dish didn't quiet turn out the way I was hoping, it was still good. I know I'll make a few changes the next time I make it. My only complaint was the center wasn't as firm as I like. If you have a Lasagna dish you would like to share - I'd love to have it!! :D

The only photo I have is of Princess Guinea Pig helping me make the base.

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups water
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 package (8 ounces) lasagna noodles
8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese
1 carton (12 ounces) small-curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the water, tomato paste, salt, rosemary and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain. In a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish, layer a third of the meat sauce, noodles and Swiss cheese. Repeat layers. Top with cottage cheese and the remaining Swiss cheese, noodles and sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Cover and bake at 350º for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Yield: 12 servings.

**The few things I would change is either less water or another 12 ounce can of tomato paste. I felt the mixture was too runny. I also added other herbs to my base, like basil and oregano. Enjoy!

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

I love anything Mexican, so you'll find I make a lot of Mexican dishes in my house. ;) Here's one I recently made for my family that was a hit. *Sorry, no photo.

Ingredients:
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
1 cup chicken broth
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 small onion, finely chopped
12 corn tortillas
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided

In a bowl, combine the chicken, chilies, broth, soups and onion; set aside. Warm tortillas in the microwave according to the package directions. Layer half of the tortillas on the bottom of the greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan, cutting to fit pan if desired. Top with half of the chicken mixture and half of the cheese. Repeat layers. Bake, uncovered, at 350º for 30 minutes.

Barbecued Pulled Pork Sandwiches

My brother and his two oldest kids arrive last night to visit for a few days. Because they were driving in, I wasn't sure what time they would arrive, so I decided to make Barbecued Pulled pork sandwiches in the slow cooker. I've tried several pulled pork recipes, this is the one I like the most so far.

Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs. pork roast
1 - 14 oz. bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 medium onion, chopped
8 hamburger buns or hard rolls

Place the pork roast in slow cooker. Cover; cook on Low 10 to 12 hours (or on High for 5 to 6 hours). Remove the pork roast from the stoneware, and pull the meat into shredded pieces. Pour out any liquid in the stoneware, and combine the pork with the remaining ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on High for 2 hours. Serve the barbecue pork on hamburger buns or hard rolls.