simple taco casserole

1 lb ground beef
Onion
Salt & pepper to season
1 cup salsa
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp chili powder
Taco chips
Shredded cheese
Shredded lettuce
Sliced black olives
Green onions, chopped
Diced tomatoes

Brown beef with onion; add salt & pepper. Add salsa, mayonnaise and chili powder. In 9x13” pan, layer chips, meat and cheese. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes only. Spread with lettuce, olives, green onion and tomatoes. Serve with salsa and Mexican salad dressing, sour cream or 1000 island dressing. Simple but pretty, and a complete meal!

Note: Do not substitute Miracle Whip for mayonnaise. It incorporates a sweet flavor that is not entirely pleasant in this dish!

mexican salad dressing

1-2 green onions
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp celery salt
3 tsp prepared mustard
1/3 cup vinegar
1/2 - 3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 - 1 cup Miracle Whip
2 Tbsp sour cream

Blend first 5 ingredients slightly in blender. Add remaining ingredients and blend well. Really good flavor. Great on taco salad or even potato salad!

taco soup, a.k.a chili

Although the official name for this recipe is Taco Soup, it's really a glorified chili that hits the spot on these cold fall days.  It's not only yummy,  it's also eye-catching with the red of the tomatoes, the yellow corn, and the dark kidney beans.

Taco Soup

2 lbs lean hamburger
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
1 16-oz can diced tomatoes
1 16-oz can pinto beans
1 16-oz can kidney beans
1 16-oz can whole kernel corn
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 pkg ranch dressing mix

Garnish:

Curly corn chips
Sour cream
Shredded cheddar cheese

Brown hamburger and onion; drain.  Mix all ingredients in a large pan or slow cooker.  The longer it cooks the better.  Garnish with chips, sour cream and cheese.  Serve with extra corn chips or cornbread.

quesadillas

Since Tech Guy (dh) comes home for lunch every day, I've racked my brain for new yet simple ideas. Pretty much what I've come up with is that lunch is usually a take on sandwiches, which may include wraps, quesadillas, burgers, burritos, etc. One of the fastest and easiest favorites is chicken quesadillas... If you're in the same rut I am, this one's for you! All measurements are approximate, I just dump and pour:

6 medium chicken breasts
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 can green chilies
1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese
6 tortillas (any flavor)

Cube chicken and fry in olive oil, add spices and cook until done. Add green chilies and heat through. Place tortillas on hot griddle, add 1/2 to 1 cup meat mixture and 1/4 cheese and fold in half. Turn when golden brown on the bottom. Cut into 3 wedges each and serve with sour cream and salsa.