Stack & Bake Mexican Meal-in-One

     We had our first Mexican Meal-in-One is a restaurant in Salina, Ks. It started with a fried shell that was topped with refried beans, seasoned beef or pork, lettuce, tomatoes, and lots of cheese. 

     It an attempt to create a healthier version that captures similar flavors, I experimented with this baked version, cutting down on the cheese in the process. Of course, all of the amounts are variable. 

     I stacked it all up in a springform pan for easy cutting. By the way, I  wrote the recipe for a standard size springform pan . . .  but for the two of us I actually used a smaller size that I fitted with 6-inch tortillas, and I halved the amount of ingredients  listed below.

Stack & Bake Mexican Meal-in-One

1 lb. lean ground pork or ground beef

1 onion, diced

1 green pepper, diced

2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning (or use a 1.25 oz. commercial pkg.) + ½ cup water

3 large (8-inch size) flour tortillas

1 (16 oz.) can refried beans

1 cup salsa

¾ to 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Topping could include: chopped tomatoes, cubed avocado, shredded lettuce, sour cream

1.  Add ground pork or beef to a hot Dutch oven or skillet. Also add diced onion and pepper and cook over medium heat until meat has browned and vegetables are tender. Drain excess grease if needed.

2.  Add in taco seasoning + water and let mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.

3.  Spray an 8-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. While an 8-inch round cake pan will work, the springform pan with removable sides, makes it easy to cut the finished dish.

4.  For the 1^st layer, add ingredients in the following order:

a.     Place a flour tortilla on the bottom of the pan.

b.     Spread about ⅓ of the refried beans.

c.     Add about ⅓ of the taco meat filling.

d.     Add about ⅓ of the salsa.

e.     Sprinkle with ⅓ of the cheese.

5.  For 2^nd & 3^rd layers, repeat layering listed above.

6.  Bake in a preheat 350° for 20 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly, and cheese is nicely browned.

7.  Let stand about 5 minutes before cutting. Add toppings of your choice, such as chopped tomatoes, cubed avocado, shredded lettuce and sour cream.

Recipe without photos . . .

Stack & Bake Mexican Meal-in-One

1 lb. lean ground pork or ground beef

1 onion, diced

1 green pepper, diced

2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning (or use a 1.25 oz. commercial pkg.) + ½ cup water

3 large (8-inch size) flour tortillas

1 (16 oz.) can refried beans

1 cup salsa

¾ to 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Topping could include: chopped tomatoes, cubed avocado, shredded lettuce, sour cream

1.  Add ground pork or beef to a hot Dutch oven or skillet. Also add diced onion and pepper and cook over medium heat until meat has browned and vegetables are tender. Drain excess grease if needed.

2.  Add in taco seasoning + water and let mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.

3.  Spray an 8-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. While an 8-inch round cake pan will work, the springform pan with removable sides, makes it easy to cut the finished dish.

4.  For the 1^st layer, add ingredients in the following order:

a.     Place a flour tortilla on the bottom of the pan.

b.     Spread about ⅓ of the refried beans.

c.     Add about ⅓ of the taco meat filling.

d.     Add about ⅓ of the salsa.

e.     Sprinkle with ⅓ of the cheese.

5.  For 2^nd & 3^rd layers, repeat layering listed above.

6.  Bake in a preheat 350° for 20 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly, and cheese is nicely browned.

7.  Let stand about 5 minutes before cutting. Add toppings of your choice, such as chopped tomatoes, cubed avocado, shredded lettuce and sour cream.