Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole

Name: Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 pkg taco seasoning mix (any brand); 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 can(s) 12-oz tomato paste (15 oz can of tomato sauce may substitute for paste and water); 1 c water; 1 can(s) 4-oz chopped green chiles, drained; 1/2 c sliced ripe olives; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 whole eggs; 2 c cottage cheese (16 oz); 8 oz monteray jack cheese, shredded (or queso); 10 oz corn tortillas, quartered (can use chips if desire); 1 c shredded cheddar cheese; 1 small carton sour cream

By Marcia McCance
@mmccance

I know I got this one from a co-worker in the 70's when working at the Newspaper in Salt Lake City because it is still written on the back of a grid sheet! LOL

What makes it unique (and hard to find a picture of... LOL) is that it has no beans but does have three kinds of cheese, including cottage cheese -- making it like a Mexican Lasagna... almost.

When I dream of an enchilada casserole -- this is the one that dangles in my head.

You can substitute corn chips (faster) for the tortillas and not affect it too much.

Enjoy!

Rating:

★★★★★ 1 vote5

Comments:

10 Comments

Method:

Bake

Ingredients

1 lb

ground beef
1 pkg

taco seasoning mix (any brand)
1 medium

onion, chopped
1 clove

garlic, minced
1 can(s)

12-oz tomato paste (15 oz can of tomato sauce may substitute for paste and water)
1 c

water
1 can(s)

4-oz chopped green chiles, drained
1/2 c

sliced ripe olives
1/2 tsp

salt
2

whole eggs
2 c

cottage cheese (16 oz)
8 oz

monteray jack cheese, shredded (or queso)
10 oz

corn tortillas, quartered (can use chips if desire)
1 c

shredded cheddar cheese
1

small carton sour cream
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How to Make Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole

Step-by-Step

Crumble and saute meat with onion and garlic till browned in a cast iron skillet (or equivalent) Add the taco seasoning according to the packet instructions
Add tomato paste, water, chilies, olives and salt -- simmer till bubbly
In a separate bowl, beat eggs, add the cottage cheese and set aside
LAYER in 9x14 baking dish:
1/3 meat,
1/2 of jack cheese,
1/2 cottage cheese,
1/2 tortillas
REPEAT: ending with meat on top
Sprinkle top with cheddar cheese and Spanish olives
Bake 350, about 20-25 minutes -- till cheese is melted on top and casserole is heated through (will be a little bubbly)
Use the sour cream as a garnish when serving.

Serve with fresh green salad to complete the meal.
NOTE: I often use a 15 oz can of tomato sauce rather than the tomato paste and water because it speeds things up and tastes just as good.