Grandma's Famous Chile Relleno Bake

Spice Guru's Note:

My grandmother's original recipe for cheese-stuffed chile relleno casserole.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

CHILES

• 1 (27 ounce) can whole green chilies (or 12 fresh roasted)

CHEESE

• 24 ounces shredded monterey jack cheese, divided

BATTER

• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sweet basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed rosemary
• 1 dash garlic powder
• 6 beaten eggs
• 1 cup milk

SAUCE

• 1 1/2 cups smooth vegetarian marinara sauce

TOPPING

• shredded monterey jack cheese (4 ounces of reserved )

Directions:

1. SET oven rack to the center position; PREHEAT oven to 375°F.
2. FLUSH seeds from canned or fresh roasted chiles under running water if a milder flavor is desired; STUFF 12-16 green chiles using 8 ounces (2 cups) shredded monterey jack cheese, divided equally.
3. LAY chiles single-layer in a 9 x 13 baking dish or a large casserole dish, overlapping if necessary (ARRANGE wide ends of chiles beside narrow ends of following chile until all chiles are used).
4. BLEND dry ingredients of the BATTER first in a medium bowl (1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon sweet basil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon crushed rosemary, 1 dash garlic powder); WHISK in 6 beaten eggs with 1 cup milk until BATTER is thoroughly blended and smooth.
5. POUR the BATTER mixture over the chiles in baking dish.
6. SET aside 4 ounces (1 cup) of shredded monterey jack cheese for TOPPING; SPREAD 12 ounces (3 cups) shredded monterey jack cheese evenly over BATTER mixture.
7. BAKE casserole uncovered in a 375°F oven for 40 minutes; LEAVE oven on.
8. REMOVE casserole from oven carefully using oven mitts; POUR 1 1/2 cups smooth vegetarian marinara sauce evenly over top; SPRINKLE evenly with remaining 4 ounces (1 cup) shredded monterey jack cheese; CONTINUE baking uncovered until cheese melts.
9. ALLOW to cool and set between 5-7 minutes before cutting; SERVE.
10. GET READY to melt into your seat after just one taste!