February 2011: Nacho Mac 'n' Cheese

Nacho Mac 'n' CheeseFrom Taste of Home's Simple & Delicious Cookbook 2nd Edition
3 c. uncooked gemelli or spiral pasta, I used a vegetable mix rotini
1 lb. ground beef
2 c. chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 c. butter, cubed
1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 env. taco seasoning
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 1/4 c. milk
2 c. (8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. frozen corn, thawed
1 c. coarsely crushed tortilla chips, (I used Fritos® corn chips and I'm pretty sure it was more than 1 c.)

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook beef and red pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.

Stir in the butter, flour, taco seasoning and pepper until blended. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir in cheese and corn until cheese is melted.

Drain the pasta; add to the beef mixture and stir to coat. Sprinkle with the tortilla chips. (I kept the chips at the table to sprinkle there so that there were no chips on the leftovers or they would get soggy in the refrigerator.)

January 2011: Superspeedway Taco Pie

Superspeedway Taco Pie
From http://www.pillsbury.com/

1 to 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 (1 oz) pkg. taco seasoning mix
1/2 c. water
1/3 c sliced green olives (which I omitted)
1 (8 oz) tube refrigerated crescent roll
1 1/2 to 2 c. crushed corn chips
1 (8 oz) container sour cream (about 1 c.)
4 oz shredded Cheddar cheese or 6 slices American Cheese
Shredded Lettuce, if desired
Avocado Slices, if desired

1. Heat oven to 375F. Cook ground beef in 10 in. skillet until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain. Stir in taco seasoning mix, water and olives (if using). Simmer 5 min.

2. Meanwhile, seperate crescent dough into 8 triangles. Place triangles in ungreased 9 or 10 in. pie pan, pressing to form crust. Sprinkle 1 cup of the corn chips over bottom crust.

3. Spoon beef mixture onto corn chips in crust. Spread sour cream over beef mixture. Cover with cheese. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 to 1 cup corn chips.

4. Bake at 375F for 20 to 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Cut into wedges. Serve immediately with lettuce and avocado.