Three Mexican-Inspired Comfort Foods
A delightful combination of flavors and textures with comforting Mexican-inspired dishes perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Lasagna Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef For meat mixture
- 1 cup diced yellow onion For meat mixture
- 1 teaspoon salt For meat mixture
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper For meat mixture
- 1 ounce packet of taco seasoning For meat mixture
- 1/2 cup water For meat mixture
- 4 ounces mild chopped green chiles For meat mixture
- 15 ounces seasoned black beans Excess liquid drained but not rinsed
- 10 count flour tortillas (8-inch soft taco sized) For layering
- 16 ounces mild chunky salsa For layering
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded For topping
- 8 ounces Monterey jack cheese, shredded For topping
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro For garnish
- Sour cream For optional garnish
- Roma tomatoes, seeds removed and diced For optional garnish
Meatloaf Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef For meatloaf
- 1/2 cup whole milk For meatloaf
- 2 large eggs For meatloaf
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix (1/4 cup) For meatloaf
- 1 cup finely chopped white onion For meatloaf
- 4 ounces green chilies, drained For meatloaf
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips For meatloaf
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic For meatloaf
- 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar jack cheese, divided For meatloaf
- 1 cup salsa, divided in half For meatloaf
- Chopped fresh cilantro For garnish
Taco Stuffed Shells Ingredients
- 24 count jumbo pasta shells, cooked According to package directions
- 2 pounds lean ground beef For taco stuffed shells
- 1 cup finely diced sweet yellow onion For taco stuffed shells
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic For taco stuffed shells
- 2 packets mild taco seasoning mix or homemade taco seasoning (1-ounce) For taco stuffed shells
- 3/4 cup water For taco stuffed shells
- 16 ounces container of mild salsa For taco stuffed shells
- 2 1/2 cups shredded Colby jack cheese For taco stuffed shells
- Taco sauce For optional garnish
Instructions
Lasagna Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with diced onion, salt, pepper, and taco seasoning.
- Add water, green chiles, and black beans.
- Layer tortillas, meat mixture, salsa, and cheeses in a baking dish. Repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve with sour cream and diced tomatoes.
Meatloaf Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, combine ground beef with milk, eggs, taco seasoning, onion, green chiles, tortilla chips, and garlic.
- Shape into a loaf and place in a baking dish.
- Spread half the salsa on top and sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes.
- Let cool before slicing; garnish with cilantro.
Taco Stuffed Shells Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with onion and garlic until browned.
- Add taco seasoning and water, then stir in salsa.
- Stuff the mixture into cooked pasta shells and place in a baking dish.
- Top with remaining salsa and shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Serve with taco sauce.
Notes
These dishes are great served hot right from the oven with sour cream and diced tomatoes. They can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to a month.