Enchilada Pie - *QUICK MEAL*

We love Mexican food at our house, and here's one of our quick-dinner favorites: (don't judge this yummy dish by the bad picture... it's not so easy to take a pretty picture of a casserole - especially one that's half eaten before I remember to snap a picture)

Enchilada Pie
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced (or about 1/8 cup dehydrated onion)
2 Tbs taco seasoning (or 1/2 packet)
1 can tomato sauce (8 oz - 14.5 oz - anything around there will work)
1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
4 small corn tortillas
1 small can sliced olives
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
 
Brown beef with onion, drain fat (did you see my earlier post for discarding fat??  if not, see below).  Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes.  In a small round casserole dish, layer meat sauce, chopped olives, cheese, then tortilla - Repeat 3 more times.  Sprinkle cheese on top tortilla.

  Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

** Here's my tip for discarding drained fat:  instead of searching for an empty can to pour the fat into, just line a bowl with aluminum foil and pour the grease into it.  When it solidifies, simply throw away the foil for a no-mess solution!!!

Crock Pot French Dip

French Dip sandwiches happen to be my #1 favorite.  So you can bet I was drooling over this Crock Pot French Dip recipe from Smashed Peas and Carrots.  If you are afraid to buy beer (like me), you can substitute with water or broth... I'm thinking water and 2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce... mmm.

Mini Meatloafs

I know this is another beef main dish, but I really want to suggest it anyway...

I love this recipe from Eat Your Veggies, Peas because it has simple ingredients that I always have on-hand and is pretty quick.  It's one of those meals that I make when I haven't thought about dinner all day and the Hubs is on his way home from work;  I've got about about 35 minutes.  I quickly whip these babies up, pop them in the oven, throw some veggies or potatoes in the microwave and when he walks in I can say "why don't you and the boys set the table?  Dinner will be ready in 5 minutes."

Easy Beef Enchiladas

I often buy the canned chicken from Costco to use in a pinch and had always wanted to try their canned beef, but didn't know what to use it for.  Then I came across this fantastically easy recipe using canned beef at Lovin from the Oven.  I'm actually going to use some left-over roast from Sunday this time - until I can make it to Costco.