Ciao's Easy Enchilada Casserole

- May 16, 2019

Easy Enchiladas

My husband loves this easy peasy enchilada casserole and it really is one of the easiest things I cook. You can use red or green enchilada sauce.

You'll need:

1 (16 oz.can) red or green enchilada sauce;

1.5 -2 lbs hamburger meat;

1 medium onion;

1 small can sliced olives (chop these) and about the same amount of green olives (chop). I use the black olives packed in jalapenos--delish!;

1 pkg. shredded favorite Mexican cheese mixture or jack cheese;

1 small can chicken broth (or make your own with 1/2 cup water and one bouillon);

2 tbsp. flour, cornmeal or masa flour;

Seasonings: several tablespoons taco seasoning or chili powder, 1 tsp oregano; and salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste. Splash of lime juice if using green sauce;

12 corn tortillas;

Some corn chips or tortilla chips for topping;

Place your meat in a deep pan on the stove. While it browns, cut off one small side of the tortillas that will line up to the side of the 9x12 baking dish. Add a little of the sauce directly from the can to the bottom of the baking dish.

Add your seasonings to the browned meat then make a well into the meat at the bottom of the pan. Add in your masa, flour or cornmeal. Add up to one half cup of the canned chicken broth or homemade chicken broth. Stir until thickened and stir the meat all around in the broth. The broth adds good flavors to the sauce.You may add hot sauce if you'd like it hotter.

Add your can of sauce. I don't use the entire can as it can be too creamy, but it's up to what you prefer--more thin or thick. Add the splash of lime juice if you're using green sauce. Let it simmer about 5 minutes until cooked.

Lay your tortillas (cut side against the side of the baking dish) on the bottom of the pan that has a layer of the sauce from the can-about 6 tortillas. Add half the meat sauce on top of the tortillas and add half of the onion, olives, and cheese mixture on top of the meat sauce. Repeat a second layer of tortilla and mixture. You can also top with more cheese.

Bake until bubbly @350° for about 30 minutes. Top with crunched corn chips or tortilla chips for texture and let it rest a few minutes.