Taco Bake

All the goodness of a taco, but in a casserole!  I seriously love casseroles.  The love for this started when I was young.  My Meme (grandma) used to make (and still does) hidden corn.....because she used to make hidden peas, but I didn't like peas!  If you don't know what hidden corn (or peas) is, it's a layer of ground beef, a layer of veggies and a layer of mashed potatoes on top.  It's baked so that it's warmed through and browned on top.  That's it!  My sister and I used to mix ketchup or BBQ sauce in with it.  Delish!!!

This taco bake was incredibly yummy!  My husband and I scooped ours up with some nacho chips, but you could scoop yours right into some hard or soft taco shells or burritos!  Or, eat it as is!  Feel free to add other topping your might like, like shredded lettuce or jalapenos!! Mmmm!!!!  Because I cook for 2 little ones as well as my husband and myself, I try to keep the heat down.  So, although I LOVE jalapenos, I don't get to use them very often anymore :(

Taco Bake

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef, cooked, grease drained

2 pkg. taco seasoning

1 15.25oz. can black beans, drained, rinsed

1 16oz. can refried beans

1 14.5oz. can diced tomatoes

1 onion, chopped

1-1 1/2 cup mexican blend shredded cheese

1 1/2 cups tortilla chips, crumbled

Directions:

Brown your ground beef in a pan.   Pour in one packet of taco seasoning and follow the directions on the back of the packet.

While that is cooking, drain and rinse your black beans

 and drain your tomatoes as well.

Mix the second package of taco seasoning with the refried beans.

Now, it's time to start assembling your taco bake!

Start by putting your ground beef on the bottom of your crock.

Layer your onions on top of that.

Place your black beans on top of the onions.

Next, place your tomatoes on top of that.

It's time for the refried bean mixture.  

Place spoon fulls of the refried beans all around.

Using the back of your spoon, press your refried beans flat to spread them around.

Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of that.

Lastly, place your crushed tortilla chips on top.

Cook on LOW for 5-7 hours or on HIGH for 2.5-3.5 hours.

Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!