Recipe: Taco Casserole

I’ve not been the best about posting anything here for awhile, so in an effort to get some “foodie” writing jump-started, I’m going to post a couple favorite recipes.

My wife and I made taco casserole the other night, which made me think that I’m much overdue sharing the recipe here on the blog.  This taco casserole has been a favorite meal of mine since my mom first started making it back when I was in junior high.  Now I think my wife likes it even more than me!  When I plan out meals at the beginning of the week, she requests it nearly every time.  Originally we used the normal recipe but we now have made a few alterations.  The changes keep the taste the same but bring down the fat and calories.  

Here is the original recipe, verbatim from my mom, first.  The recipe after is the adjusted healthier one – 

Original recipe:

1 lb. ground beef

1 envelope taco seasoning mix

1 small carton sour cream

1 large bag Doritos

1 tube crescent rolls

Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Onion, diced

Green pepper, diced

Tomato, diced

Additional shredded cheese

  

Brown the meat, drain.  Add taco seasoning mix, following directions on the package.  Add sour cream.

Spray a 9 by 13 glass baking dish with non stick spray.  Line bottom with crescent rolls.  Crush chips and arrange half of them evenly on top of the rolls.  Scoop meat mixture in an even layer on top of chips.  Top with remaining chips. Bake 20 mins at 325 degrees.  Add a layer of cheese and return to oven until cheese melts.  Serve with toppings (the onion, green pepper, tomato, etc).

Edited, healthier recipe:

2 x 15 oz cans of black beans

1 envelope taco seasoning mix

1 small carton sour cream

1 large bag Baked Doritos

1 tube reduced fat crescent rolls

Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Onion, diced

Green pepper, diced

Tomato, diced

Additional shredded cheese

  

Open cans of black beans and drain, leaving juice a few tablespoons of the liquid from the can.  Place beans in a bowl and add the taco seasoning.  (Depending on your tastes you may not want to add the whole package.)  Add sour cream to the bowl with the black bean mixture and mix.  Spray a 9 by 13 glass baking dish with non stick spray (or lightly wipe the dish with a paper towel and vegetable oil).  Line bottom with crescent rolls.  Crush chips and arrange half of them evenly on top of the rolls.  Scoop black bean mixture in an even layer on top of chips.  Top with remaining chips. Bake 20 mins at 325 degrees.  Add a layer of cheese and return to oven until cheese melts.  Serve with toppings (the onion, green pepper, tomato, etc).

If we had to pick, this household likes the black bean option.  However, go make the different recipes yourself and see what you think.  Either way I think you’ll be adding a new casserole to your stable of recipes.