Turkey (Or Beef) Enchilada Casserole

Crystal Rose's Note:

This is a hearty but healthy meal that is easy to put together. Lean ground turkey and reduced-fat cheese make this a good low-fat casserole. We like tot top ours with Tabasco and low-fat sour cream. Choose your favorite salsa (chunky is my favorite). You could also use beef and Mexican blend cheese for a different dish.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 lb lean ground turkey or 1 lb extra lean ground beef
• 1 medium green pepper , chopped
• 1 medium onion , chopped
• 3 garlic cloves , minced
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans , rinsed and drained
• 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14 ½ ounce) can Mexican-style tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 12 (6 inch) corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese , divided

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook the turkey (or beef), green pepper, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink.
2. Stir in the beans, salsa, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
3. Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a 13x9 inch baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with six tortillas, covering the sauce.
4. Spread half of the remaining meat sauce onto tortillas; sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Layer with remaining tortillas and meat sauce.
5. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
6. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly and cheese is melted.

Reviews

[Kelly0412]

AMAZING!!! This was so good!! The only thing DH wanted to change was he said to add 2 lbs of ground turkey next time. But he is a carnivore so I am sure the average person wouldn't find this lacking in meat! I personally did not! This will be made again and again and I love that it is actually healthy and not loaded with fat and calories...try finding that at your neighborhood Mexican food place! haha! Thanks for posting Crystal Rosa...this was a WINNER!

[Tina Madden]

Very nice and easy. We loved it. I made to take on a 2 hr trip to family ger together. Traveled very well. Made for PAC 2007 fall.

[TeresaS]

I just had to give this a 5 star rating per DH. He went back for seconds even though it had turkey meat in it. I cut the recipe in half, prepared it in a 7X11 dish. I used left over turkey taco meat so instead of the Mexican style tomatoes I used regular dice tomatoes. To add some heat I used El Pato hot Mexican tomato sauce and threw in a chopped jalapeno. I also used Mexican blend cheese. This had such a great flavor that it will be made again and again. Thanks, Crystal Rose for posting.