Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Southwestern Soft Taco Casserole





Our grandsons...a happy band of brothers.



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I am back home and ready, really ready, to take up whisk and spoon and create again in my own familiar and well-equipped kitchen. The break from routine and repetition was really needed and the time spent with family was simply priceless. As you can see, our grandsons are growing like over-fertilized weeds and our time with them, while short, is treasured. On reflection, I, too, am often tempted to say to the passing moment, "Stay, thou art so fair." Instead, I worked my way through blog related email tonight and hope to catch up with your comments and questions tomorrow morning. Thanks so much for your patience and continued support in my absence. The posts for the remainder of this week will be simple, but scrumptious, vacation fare. Next week, at the request of the Silver Fox, who, at the moment, is up to his ears in pasta and ground beef, I'll be featuring dishes from France and the Mediterranean. They are not at all toney, but I know you'll enjoy them.

The recipe I'm featuring tonight is one my younger daughter prepared for us while we were in New Hampshire. It is fast, easy and delicious and, better still, quantities can be doubled or tripled when you have a gang to feed. It can be made well in advance of serving and it also freezes well, freeing you for other chores or time with family and friends. Her version of the recipe uses just 7 ingredients, and, while it varies slightly, I think the recipe first appeared in Taste of Home magazine with a slightly expanded ingredient list. Optional ingredients in the recipe below are highlighted in red. If you have not yet sampled this casserole, I hope you'll give it a try. Here's the recipe.






Southwestern Soft Taco Casserole...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Melissa Mabe and Taste of Home magazine

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
2/3 cup water
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14.5 ounces) Mexican diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
6 flour tortillas (8 inches), cut in half
1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) In a large skillet, cook beef, and, if using, green pepper and onion, over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add water and taco seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Stir in black beans, tomatoes and corn. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
3) Place four tortilla halves in bottom of a greased 13 x 9-in. baking dish. If using, spread tortillas with half of refried beans. Then spread with half of beef mixture and sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Repeat layers. Top with remaining tortillas and cheese.
4) Cover and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and cheese is melted. Yield: 9 servings.







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30 comments :

Pondside said...

Your boys are beautiful, Mary! I certainly understand how hard it is to live so far apart - ours are on Ontario. I miss them terribly. Do you know that I often send your recipes to my son - their father - who is the chief cook in the little family?

Katarina said...

Lovely pictures! Have a great day Mary!

Ellen Whyte said...

The grandkids look great! Must be that casserole. It would have never occurred to me to casserole tacos. Weird but interesting.

Life's a shoe said...

awww you grandsons are so adorable! this looks like another recipe of yours that I'll be trying! :)

Lynn said...

Sounds like you had a fun visit! I would love to try this casserole, maybe Sunday:@)

StephenC said...

I have no grandkids, but can imagine how devoted you are to yours. I could so eat a handful of tacos right now.

Big Dude said...

Always nice to go visit and always nice to come home. The casserole looks outstanding.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I'm with Larry. It's nice to visit and it's equally nice to be back home. Your grandsons are adorable.
Sam

Ana Regalado said...

Sounds like you had a great time over there ! ..... What a delicious homecoming dish , Mary ! :D

From the Kitchen said...

Now we see where all that food has been going! A happy brood indeed. Living far apart does make every moment together very dear. Glad you had a good visit.

Best,
Bonnie

Diane said...

Love the photos of your grand children. This recipe sounds good to me. quick and easy. Have a good day Diane

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

These casseroles are awesome Mary. Our favourite is Kraft's Layered Enchilada Bake which I have adapted to suit us, especially by using the PC's Bean & White Corn Salsa instead. Your grandboys are tall! My two still having some sprouting, however I think I will keep them at this size for the moment. We have also been enjoying their visit with us this week.

Ola said...

lovely boys! me and my boyfriend just love taco in every version, so we have to make it from your recipe :) blessings!

Unknown said...

Oh my your grandsons are all adorable, Mary! Glad you got a break and got to spend time with family - it's so very important!
The casserole looks and sounds delicious! A nice twist on the classic taco!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

The boys are growing, indeed. And this casserole will be added to our favorites. Made with corn tortillas for our daughters allergies. YUM.

Welcome home, Mary.

Angie's Recipes said...

Mary, your grandkids are all so adorable!
Tacos in a casserole...that's a marvelous idea!

Sangeetas Kitchen said...

I admire your energy Mary! Adorable grandchildren:) God bless.

Kim said...

Your grandsons looks so great... and yeah child grows so fast... This is a perfect familly dish!

Jane said...

Your grandsons are very handsome :) Time does go by so fast. I love casseroles!

Penny said...

Another great recipe for our family get together. Thanks Mary. Your Grandsons are adorable and I know how you feel about freezing the moment.

Ellen B Cookery said...

I love a meal that can be made in advance, frozen and pulled out when entertaining a crowd. Welcome back!

Tricia @ saving room for dessert said...

Beautiful grandchildren! Lovely dinner too. Hope you enjoyed your much deserved vacation!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

Great looking boys. The southwestern casserole sounds great to someone how grew up in Texas.

Sue/the view from great island said...

It's so great to be able to see 'the boys' we've been hearing so much about! Looking forward to the Mediterranean dishes next week!

Tanna said...

Those boys are just p.r.e.c.i.o.u.s!! I know you treasured your time together... I also know a rest is due. ;) I'm glad you've enjoyed your vacation time with loved ones. blessings ~ tanna

Rambling Tart said...

You have the most gorgeous grandsons! I LOVE their happy grins, their jolly natures. :-) I'm so glad you were able to spend time with them. :-)

Anonymous said...

Looks like you guys had a great time! This casserole looks delicious! :)

SKIP TO MALOU said...

Spending time with the grandkids could be the best gift you could ever give to them. The memories will be imprinted in their hearts forever... these moments are PRECIOUS!
malou

decocinasytacones said...

Welcome back!. It´s amazing to see how children grow up, I absolutely agree, everytime I see mine I think where have all those years gone.
Love from spain
Marialuisa

My Little Space said...

Yeah, time just flies! I remember the last time I saw their toddler photos. haha... Still crawling on the floor, isn't it! Oh wow...such sweet memories. And those taco casserole just perfect & such belly warming meal. Have a great day.
Kristy

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