TACO CASSEROLE

Welcome to 2024!!

NOTE: A complete Index of all of our posts is available HERE

Today on Let's Cook, we have a delicious TACO CASSEROLE. 

Over the last couple of years, I have tried to broaden my cooking horizons to include more ethnic offerings.

The boss and I have been trying to eat more out of our freezer and pantry this month, so let's see what we have.

I decided I wanted to try some TACO's. 

I am not a huge fan of "finger food." (The exception being Chicken Wings.) I find Tacos to be a bit messy, so I prefer to make a taco I can eat with a fork.

I don't have a firm recipe on paper, just in my head, so let's go grab some "stuff".

My brother and sister-in-law gifted us some GREAT ground beef for Christmas, so we will start with a package from the freezer.

Let's see what other ingredients we can try.

How 'bout 1/2 cup of Onions?

You can't go wrong with these. (Notice the perfectly centered picture!)

We had Pizza Bits the other night and had 1/2 can of sauce in the fridge. We added a small jar of our homemade sauce and a bit of water.

Damn right we add some chopped Garlic.

I put mushrooms in almost everything that I cook.

Chili Powder and cheese of your choice.

And of course, the Tacos.

So, let's decide how to make this conglomeration. I thought about Taco Burritos but nixed that idea. Let's keep it simple.

Start by preheating the oven to 350.

Put some EVOO in a pan and set the heat to medium, high.

When the oil gets good and hot, throw in the onions.

Sauté the Onions until they start t soften, then add in the Chiles.

 Keep stirring.

When the Onions and Chiles and nice and soft, add in 2 or 4 cloves of chopped Garlic.

Stir for a minute to combine, then you can add the beef.

Right here.  Keep your shirt on.

Chop up the beef and sauté until it is brown. Then add the mushrooms.

Now we can add all the spices. I did not measure anything here. Add to your own taste. (Don't forget a good dash of salt & pepper)

Now add the sauce. If too thick, just add some water. Stir until good and hot.

In a baking dish sprayed with oil, put a bit of sauce on the bottom of the dish.

Line the bottom of the dish with 2 tacos, some sauce and a layer of cheese.

Add 2 more Tacos, sauce and more Cheese.

Cover with foil and throw this puppy in the oven.

Bake for 10 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes.

Doesn't that look AMAZING??

Let cool for 5-10 minutes, then cut and serve.

I had mine with a nice, chopped salad and my usual adult beverage.

RESULTS:

Winner, winner, Taco dinner!!!

This might be the best casserole I have made to date. Even though it looks like the Blob that ate Cincinnati.

Maybe some parsley on the top would help?

It had a bit of "kick" but not excessive.

I used Mozzarella since it is my favorite cheese, but Cheddar might be good as well.

All in all, a great dish. And you can make this in about an hour. (cooking time included)

The president is ready for a taste.

P.O.T.U.S. 22 & 24 Grover Cleveland

That's all for this time. I hope you get in the kitchen and CREATE!

See you next time.

God Speed Mother Nature.

MEXICAN - CHORIZO TACO'S W/ FRIED POTATOES,ONIONS,PEPPERS & EGGS

Hello Food Friends. And welcome back. We are still in a self imposed lock down here in Florida, since the powers that be decided to open all the bars. And the COVID 19 cases went sky HIGH.

So, we are still cooking at home, and avoiding people.

We did make a run the other day to our friendly MEXICAN Grocery Store.

Let me tell you, this is a marvelous and fascinating place. I have no idea what most of the stuff is, but I do know GOOD when I see it.

Yes, I remember those days when I hated 'ese' food. Chinese, Vietnamese, Cubanese and of course Mexicanese.

But this blog has educated me. And so has my wife. In the last couple of years I have tried a number of things I never thought I would eat, but I LOVED THEM !!!!

So with that in mind, here we are at our favorite Mexican Grocery.

Penny wanted to get some meat for a future dish on the Big Green Egg.

And then she spotted the Chorizo. It looked so good we decided to get some and make TACOS !!!!!

So  let's go home and get started

First an adult beverage

Some GOOD Mexican BEER

Here's what else you will need:

1 Medium Onion (Chopped)

1 ½ lb of Mexican Chorizo (Chopped into 3-4 “ size)

2 Potatoes (Peeled and chopped)

1 Red Pepper (Chopped)

3 Eggs

Salt & Pepper

Corn Tortilla

 Get these fresh from the Mexican Grocery, you'll thank me later

Make sure your 'clean up' crew is ready

Ready, Willing and Able

In a pan, add some EVOO and saute the Chorizo over medium to medium high heat.

 not quite yet

 Now it's ready

When done, set aside.

With the left over drippings, add the Potatoes.

Saute and add some Salt & Pepper

Add the Onions, & Peppers and a dash of salt

(do not stir for three minutes)

Stir then cook until done. Set aside.

Let pan cool a bit then add the eggs, and scramble.

Place Tortilla's in a towel and heat in the Microwave for 30 sec.

If not hot enough heat for another 30 sec.

Place the Chorizo, Eggs, & Potatoes into separate bowls.

Now you can assemble your Taco & enjoy.

So how was it ??

 These were G O O D !!!! And that's all I have to say about that.

Seriously, this was SO EASY to make. It made for a great Sunday Night Dinner.

So, take my advice and explore some of the ethnic Grocery Stores in your area. You will be amazed at what you can find.

Stay Smart, Stay Safe, and STAY HOME!!!!!!!!