dinner is served

One of my favorite parts about the blog world are the recipe posts! Some are homemade, others passed on, or even internet finds! Either way, it's fun to try out new recipes and exchange ideas via blogger! My only disclaimer in mine, is that mine are usually pretty simple because my domestication is house-wide, as I am learning cooking, cleaning, and domestication all at once! Therefore I cannot solely concentrate on the cooking part, although after some practice, the kitchen is starting to become my favorite room in the house!!


I'm getting pretty good, I must say :) I am now in love with my Swiffer, love.


Back to food...casseroles are at the top of my list. Lazy cook, you say----busy fiance, I say :) They are easy, and most importantly, as an amateur cook they are simple enough to help you practice different flavors and seasonings together, which I think is one of the basics in learning how to master your kitchen.


A new recipe I tried ------->

Easy Mexican Casserole

INGREDIENTS
1 pound lean ground beef
2 cups salsa
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans, drained
3 cups crushed tortilla chips
2 cups sour cream
1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until no longer pink. Stir in salsa, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Stir in beans, and heat through.
Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Spread crushed tortilla chips in dish, and then spoon beef mixture over chips. Spread sour cream over beef, and sprinkle olives, green onion, and tomato over the sour cream. Top with Cheddar cheese.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Served with chips, and some Mexican rice w/cheese......this meal is great! JR's love of Mexican food always has me in search of some new fun South of the border style recipes!

Here are a few pics of my results------->

Before:

After: cheesy delicious!

The only thing I would change/add to this recipe would be to season the meat prior to mixing with the rest of the ingredients to give it a little more flavor! We use Nancy and Ronnie's recipe for ground beef :)

If you make this and have any changes, please let me know!

Happy dinner!