Taco Bake

Taco Bake

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef

1 packet taco seasoning
* water as called for on back of seasoning packet
3 large flour tortillas (8-inch size)
1/2 cup Salsa Con Queso
1 1/2-2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Directions:
Brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess grease.
Add in taco seasoning and water (following directions on back of seasoning packet).
Once the taco meat is ready, turn off heat and add in 1/2 cup salsa con queso.
Give it a good stir until thoroughly combined.
Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Spray an 8-inch round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Layer the bottom of the pan with a flour tortilla.
Now add about 1/3 of the ground beef taco filling on the the first layer.
Then add 1/3 of the shredded cheese.
Continue until you are done with all the layers: another tortilla, more taco mixture, more cheese.
Bake at 350F degrees for about 15-20 minutes.
Until cheese is melted and edges are slightly golden brown.
Allow to cool for a couple of minutes.
Then slice and serve.
Top with sour cream and diced tomatoes.

Bacon and Swiss Quiche

Found these recently and tried it out. It was great! I really love quiche, so this was a nice version that was a bit healthier.

I didn't ahve any phyllo that would have thawed in time, so I used a pre-made pie crust instead. It was a bit more calories, but not too bad. The original recipe can be seen on WeightWatchers.com.

Ingredients
2 sheet(s) phyllo dough, cut into three strips each  
3 large eggs
1/4 cup regular egg substitute
1 cup(s) fat free half and half
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
1/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup(s) (shredded) low-fat hard cheese, Swiss, grated
4 oz cooked crisp turkey bacon, diced 


Directions
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.

Lay phyllo dough in pie plate, one piece at a time, coating each layer with cooking spray — dough should cover bottom and sides of dish. Fold in any overhanging corners.

Whisk together eggs, egg substitute, milk, flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg.

Sprinkle cheese and bacon over phyllo dough. Pour in egg mixture and place quiche on a baking sheet. Bake until firm, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool at least 5 minutes before cutting into 8 wedges.

White's Chili

Chili:

3/4 lb ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 16 oz. can tomatoes, cut up

1 16 oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

2 to 3 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed

1/4 tsp. salt (optional)

1/4 tsp. pepper

 

    In large saucepan cook ground beef, onion, green pepper, and garlic until meat is brown.  Drain fat.  Stir in undrained tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, basil, salt, and pepper.  Bring to boiling, reduce heat.  Cover, simmer for 20 minutes.  Makes 4 main dish servings.  (I had doubled the recipe)

South-of-the-Border Meat Loaf

Ingredients

1 cup finely chopped poblano or green bell pepper

1 medium onion (½ cup finely chopped)

½ cup very finely crushed authentic restaurant-style tortilla chips (about 1½ cups whole chips)

1 cup ketchup

2 tbsp Chipotle Rub

1½ lbs 85% lean ground beef

1 egg

1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Directions

1. Finely chop pepper and onion with Food Chopper. Place chips into large resealable plastic bag; very finely crush using Meat Tenderizer to measure ½ cup crumbs. Combine ketchup and rub in Small Batter Bowl; stir with Small Mix ‘N Scraper®. In Stainless (6-qt.) Mixing Bowl, combine pepper, onion, tortilla chip crumbs, ¾ cup of the ketchup mixture, beef, egg and 1 cup of the cheese; mix well.
2. Place meat mixture in Deep Covered Baker; form into an 8½ x 4½-in. loaf. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 14-17 minutes or until Digital Pocket Thermometer inserted in center of meat loaf registers 145°F. Remove baker from microwave. With Chef’s Silicone Basting Brush, brush remaining ketchup mixture over meat loaf. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 3-5 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160°F in the center.
3. Sprinkle remaining cheese over meat loaf; cover and let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle cilantro over meat loaf, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings

Cook’s Tips: For best results, choose authentic restaurant-style tortilla chips, found in the ethnic section of the supermarket.

Meatloaf can be baked, uncovered, in a 400°F oven for 65-70 minutes. Brush with sauce 15 minutes before end of bake time.

If desired, 2-3 tbsp chopped, canned chipotle peppers can be substituted for the Chipotle Rub.

Ground chicken can be substituted for ground beef.

Macaroni & Cheese Taco Bake

Ingredients

2 packages (7-1/4 ounces each) macaroni and cheese dinner mix

1 pound ground beef

1 cup chunky salsa

2 cups crushed tortilla chips

1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend

Sour cream, optional

Directions

1. Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef until no longer pink; drain. Stir in salsa; set aside. 
2. Spread macaroni into a deep dish baker. Layer with beef mixture, chips and olives; sprinkle with cheese. 
3. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Serve with sour cream if desired. 

Yield: 8 servings