Taco Salad Casserole

Hi, everyone!  I recently ran across this awesome Beef and Bean Taco Casserole recipe and thought we should give something similar a try.  Troy and I both love Mexican food and taco salad is pretty tasty so we opted to end the weekend with something delish.  Hope you like it!

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 can refried beans
1 half onion, chopped
2 cups white rice
1 package taco seasoning
2 1/2 cups tortilla chips, broken into smaller pieces
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
shredded lettuce and additional shredded cheddar to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Brown ground beef and drain of grease.  Mix in refriend beans, onionm, rice and taco seasoning.  Reduce to medium heat until mixture is warm. 

Line the bottom of a casserole dish with the broken chips.  Top with the beef and bean mixture.  Sprinkle with bell peppers and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.  Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly.

Serve over additional tortilla chips (optional) and top with lettuce and additional cheese.

Cilantro-Lime Rice

One o my favorite places for a quick and tasty meal is Chipotle.  I. Love. It.  Not only is it delicious, I can order by phone, the app on my phone, or online which makes it that much more convenient!  One of my favorite parts of my chicken burrito bowls is the cilantro-lime rice.  I could eat it all by itself!  I decided a while back that I could totally make my own for a simple side to a Mexican dish, chicken, or anything else your heart desires.

Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked Basmati Rice
Salt
1 tablespoon Lime Juice
1/2 cup Cilantro, chopped

Directions:
Prepare the rice per the package instructions.  Once cooked, add lime juice and cilantro to the rice and fluff.  Add salt to taste.

That's it!  Super easy!  Enjoy!

Baked Burritos

Hey, everyone!  Hope you're all having a great week! 

My friend Kristen and I frequently exchange recipe ideas to keep our dinner menus more exciting.  Today, she shared her oven taco recipe with me.  I decided to take the basic ingredients and make baked burritos instead.  Troy tells me it was a winner!

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 can refried beans
8 ounce tomato sauce
1 package taco seasoning
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
8-10 tortillas

Directions:
Brown ground beef.  Drain off any fat, then add refried beans, tomato sauce and taco seasoning.  Spoon mixture onto tortilla and sprinkle with cheese.  Roll burrito and place in lightly greased baking pan.  Repeat with remaining burrito mixture and tortillas.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.

Stay tuned for a great Cilantro-Lime Rice recipe for your side!

Chips and Queso

Having a party?  Need something quick and easy for a food day at work?  How about chips and queso? 

Ingredients:
1 pound hamburger
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 pounds Velveeta
1 can Rotel

Directions:
Brown hamburger and drain.  Add onions and Rotel.  Break Velveeta into smaller chunks and add to the mixture.  Keep heat around medium low and stir as cheese melts.  Serve with chips.

Alternative: Brown hamburger and drain.  Add onions, Rotel and Velvetta to slow cooker at heat on low until cheese is melted.  Stir regularly.

Using the slow cooker is definitely ideal for parties and work.  On Super Bowl Sunday, we made this cheese dip for just the two of us.  Because of that, we opted to take the stove cooking route.  Either way - still yum!

Cheesy Chicken & Rice Bake

My future husband loves rice, and I love Mexican food.  When I came across this recipe from TastyKitchen.com I knew it was perfect for us! 

Ingredients:
4 cups brown rice, cooked
2 cups cooked chicken - we like Tyson's grilled chicken strips that are precooked as it saves time when we're in a rush
1 1/2 cup frozen corn
1 can black beans
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 can green chilis, juice only
1/2 cup chunky salsa
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese plus additional for for topping

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all ingredients together, then transfer to oven safe bowl.  Top with cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes. 

We've made this a few of times and haven't felt the need to make many changes from the original. We've increased the corn and decided we like chunkier salsa. We've been throwing around the idea of adding onions, increasing the amount of black beans, or forgoing chicken to change it up a little.  With or without the changes, this is a super easy and tasty recipe!

Corn Salsa

In need of a simple, yet flavorful party recipe?  Think Corn Salsa!  Its fresh, vibrant and healthy - can't beat that!

Ingredients:

1 can Black Beans, drained and rinsed

1 can Corn, drained

4 Roma Tomatos, seeded and chopped

1 medium Avocado, peeled and chopped
1/8-1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped
3-4 tbsp Lime Juice
1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Prepare all ingredents.  Mix together in large bowl.  Cover and chill.  Add more salt, pepper, lime juice and vinegar to taste.  Serve with Tortilla chips.