Kevin's Famous Beef Enchilada Casserole

This is a bold and delicious recipe from Tucson, Arizona. Kevin's Famous Beef Enchilada Casserole is hearty and satisfying in every way with big flavor from the beef, veggies and green chiles. This flavorful casserole is sure to please your hungry family! Check out this site for free chile recipes and tips: http://tiny.cc/newmexicochile

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 Casserole

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground beef
• 10  fresh flour tortillas or 20  fresh corn tortillas
• 4  cups  of fresh  shredded cheddar cheese (Medium or Sharp)
• 2  cups  of fresh  sliced mushrooms
• 2  cups  of fresh diced zucchini
• 1 1⁄2 cups  of fresh diced yellow onions
• 1  tablespoon  of fresh pureed garlic (Not Minced or Chopped)
• 2  cups  of fresh salsa (Mild or Hot)
• 1  cup  of diced green chili pepper (Mild or Hot)
• 1⁄2 cup Spanish olive oil
• 2  tablespoons  dried cumin powder
• 2  tablespoons  dried Mexican oregano, powder (Not Flakes)
• 2 -3  tablespoons  smoked spanish paprika (Hot or Sweet)
• 1  tablespoon chili powder (Mild or Hot)
• 2  tablespoons garlic powder
• 3  tablespoons  of kosher sea salt
• 1  teaspoon ground nutmeg (Freshly Ground Preferred)

• Optional Garnishes Include

•  sliced spanish green  pimento stuffed olives, Sliced Fresh Avocado, Fresh Sour Cream, Roasted Corn or  pico de gallo

• Optional Pairings

•  Spanish rice, Black Beans, Mexican Fried Potatoes

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Lightly grease deep oval casserole dish or dutch oven with small amount of Olive Oil.
3. Sautee Mushrooms, Zucchini and Onion with Fresh Garlic in small amount of Olive Oil with 1 TBSP of Salt in skillet over medium heat until soft and lightly browned. Turn off heat and set aside to cool.
4. Sautee Beef in skillet over medium heat with small amount of Olive Oil until cooked through, add Green Chili, 1 TBSP of Salt, and 1 TBSP of Garlic Powder and combine. Cook until lightly browned. Turn off heat, remove beef mixture from skillet, place in dish and set aside to cool. Be sure to leave oil in pan.
5. Make sauce, using skillet and oil that was used to cook beef mixture, return to medium heat and add Salsa, 2 TBSP Cumin, 2 TBSP Oregano, 1 TBSP Paprika, 1 TBSP Chili Powder, 1 TBSP Garlic Powder, 1 TBSP Salt and 1 TSP Nutmeg, Simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and set aside to cool.
6. Layer casserole dish with light amount of sauce 2 flour tortillas or 4 corn tortillas, 1/2 of beef mixture, light layer of sauce, light layer of cheddar, 2nd layer of tortillas, 1/2 of Zucchini/Mushroom/Onion Mixture, light layer of sauce, light layer of cheddar, 3rd layer of tortillas remaining beef mixture, light layer of sauce, light layer of cheddar, 4th layer of tortillas, remaining Zucchini/Mushroom/Onion Mixture, light layer of sauce, light layer of cheddar, 5th layer of tortillas, top with remaining sauce and cover with remaining cheddar. Sprinkle top with 1 to 2 TBSP of Paprika.
7. Bake covered at 350F for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.