Simply the Best Tex Mex Casserole

Submitted by aronsinvest

"Ready, Set, Cook! Special Edition Contest Entry: An easy week night casserole. Take only 15 minutes to put together. Has plenty of flavor and spice."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb ground chicken breast or 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (20 ounce) package shredded hash brown potatoes (Simply Potatoes brand Southwestern flavor preferred)
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1⁄2 red onion, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
• 1 (14 ounce) can stewed tomatoes or (14 ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• salt
• 2 1⁄2 cups cheddar cheese or 2 1/2 cups monterey jack pepper cheese, shredded
• 2 green onions, finely chopped

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. TO COOK THE FILLING: Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat.
3. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil - twice around the pan.
4. Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin, red pepper and red onion.
5. Brown the meat, 5 minutes.
6. Add taco sauce or stewed or fire roasted tomatoes.
7. Add black beans and corn.
8. Heat the mixture through, 2 to 3 minutes then season with salt, to your taste.
9. In a separate frying pan cook hash browns according to direction on package. This can be done while you are frying up the meat.
10. Assemble Casserole: Spray a 9x13 pan with non stick stray.
11. Layer half the cooked hash browns in the pan.
12. Build casserole in layers of filling, ½ cheese and the rest of the hash browns, then cheese.
13. Bake casserole 15 minutes until cheese is brown and bubbly.
14. Top with the scallions.
15. *NOTE* You can serve with salsa, sour cream and sliced avocado on the side as additional toppings.