Sunday Eats - Simple Recipe, Simple Steps

Since Blogville asked Mom to share, here is her recipe for last night's  burrito casserole.  The original recipe is on food.com  and is called "creamy burrito casserole" but she tweaked a few ingredients (sorry, we're  not a fan of mushrooms in this) and we think her version is even tastier while still being as easy to make. It tastes just like a big burrito without the assembly and the mess to eat and leftovers freeze really nicely for lunches to tote to work later on.

Burrito Casserole:

In a pan cook:

1 pound of ground beef or turkey or thaw a package of pre-cooked gardein veggie "beef"
1/2 onion OR 1/2 bell pepper.

 If using veggie protein, prepare as directed  and saute veggies separate

 Add:

 1/3 cup water
 packet of taco seasoning.  (Mom likes Simply Organic brand - no MSG)

Stir well and simmer on medium/low until liquid is absorbed.

While that simmers -  in a medium bowl mix:

1 can reduced sodium cream of chicken soup (if you don't have that in your country, search this blog for "cream of cluck" for Mom's do it yourself version)
1/2 to 3/4 cup  sour cream (Mom used 3/4 cup as they like theirs extra saucy)
1/2 teaspoon mild hot sauce - Mom used Cowboy Crooner from

• Scoville Brothers Hot Sauces

When the protein/taco mix is ready, stir in:

1  can of  non fat refried beans (or canned black beans if you prefer)
1/2 cup Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, liquid drained off (save remainder of can for a chip dip or throw in pasta sauce.

Layer in an 8 x 8 inch dish.

1/2 saucy mixture
3 flour tortillas (soft taco sized) torn into pieces
1/2 meat mixture
1 to 1 and 1/2 cups Mexican blend cheese
1/2 saucy mixture
3 tortillas, torn
1/2 meat mixture
1 to 1 and 1/2 cups cheese blend (Mom used lots of cheese, but adjust to taste)

Bake in preheated 350 F oven (175 C).  until hot and bubbly.  Remove and let sit for 5-10 minutes then cut into squares and serve.

Mom has also sprinkled black olives on top in the past but she didn't have any last night. Mom and Dad had some fresh garden corn with it last night.

Mom was happy to make these for Dad with all the work he's done on the steps.  Look how steep those old ones were, and how small the actual step.  Yikes No wonder Mom took out her knee getting Barkley (Nascar Racer dog) down these.  The ramp was one they just started to build for Barkey when he suddenly came up lame but he went to the Bridge before it was done.  Notice the steps also go into the driveway so there's no way to fence the yard to I can go straight from the house into the yard, so these came completely out and were rebuilt 90 to the right.

The new steps Dad designed and is building.

See how much bigger and shorter they are?

Once these are finished, stained and sealed I'll have a fence so I can run off leash and there's space to store the barbecue so it doesn't have to be wheeled into the garage after each use!  (hint hint Mom and Dad, it's burger time!)

Thanks Dad!

Abby Lab