Slap Together Mexican Casserole

So you’re in a clutch situation.  Guests are coming over and your wife told you ahead of time, but what the hell, a six pack got in the way.  

No, wait a sec….It’s the football bowl season….It wasn’t your significant other who told you, it was your buddy!

“Smiley, don’t forget we’re coming over for beer and eats!”

“Uhhhhhhhh….hell, no, I haven’t forgotten!”

Now what?  You search the frig and pantry in vain.  Gotta be something besides a jar of pickles and a can of sardines in mustard sauce!

Fear not!  I’m here to save your self-respect and make you a culinary hero to everyone except your significant other.  I’m not a miracle worker.

Everybody has onions and garlic, cheddar, canned tomatoes and canned beans. What about the protein?  Use anything.  Ground beef….hey, I always keep some sausage in the freezer.  Hot sausage.  Also, always have corn tortillas and flour tortillas in the frig.

How ‘bout a quick throw-together Mexican Casserole. Add a salad and fry some tortillas, then pop that second six pack hiding in the back of the frig.

 Mexican Casserole.

1 lb. Jimmy Dean Hot sausage (or ground turkey or beef or shredded chicken with red pepper added)

1 large diced onion

Olive Oil

3 diced garlic cloves

1 Can un-drained diced tomatoes

1 Can un-drained pinto beans

2 Heaping Tablespoons (or to taste) chili powder

2 Teaspoons (or to taste) ground cumin

A couple of heavy squirts of Sriracha hot sauce

Salt and white pepper

About 2 cups shredded cheddar

Sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, and crème fraichefor topping. (I like the silky creamy taste better than sour cream!)

Heat the oven to 350ºF and have a casserole dish handy.

Add oil to a large frying pan and cook the onion and garlic until the onion is wilted, but not browned.  Add the sausage and break it up as it cooks.  As soon as the meat is pink, add the tomatoes and beans.  Stir well and add the chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.

After a short while, take a taste and correct the seasonings.

Allow the liquid to reduce to about half.  Toss in about 3/4 Cup of cheddar and stir well.

Put the mixture in the casserole dish, sprinkle on the remainder of the cheddar and pop it in the oven.

When the casserole starts to bubble and the cheese begins to blister, it's ready.

Add the toppings to the individual servings.

Serve with freshly fried and salted tortillas.

See, that wasn’t so hard.  Even easier if you add a shot of Tequila when you pour your reprobate buddies a beer. Look at that! Was that a smile from the wife?

Kudos!!