Taco Soup

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef

1 taco seasoning packet

1 onion, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans Rotel, drained 

2 c beef broth

1/2 c heavy cream

1 block cream cheese

Lime juice, to taste

Optional toppings: shredded cheese, avocados, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, & jalapenos

1. In a large pot, cook beef, onion, pepper, & garlic with taco seasoning.

2. When beef is cooked, add remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.

OR

1. Place everything except cream & cream cheese in slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours, stirring those other ingredients in just before serving.

Beef Lombardi

Beef Lombardi
1 T olive oil
1 lb 93/7 ground beef
1 onion, diced
salt and pepper
3 T tomato paste
4 cloves garlic, minced
3- 10 oz cans Rotel, drained
1 1/4 c sour cream
1 T cornstarch
12 oz wide egg noodles
4 oz cream cheese, softened
4 green onions, minced
2 c Cheddar cheese

1. In a large pan, heat oil over medium-high heat; add beef, onion, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Cook until beef is browned.
2. Stir in tomato paste and garlic; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and cook until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 350* and grease a 9x13 pan. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and cornstarch.
4. Bring water and a tablespoon of salt to boil in a large pot and cook noodles until al dente; reserve 2 cups of noodle liquid and drain the rest.
5. In the empty pot, whisk cream cheese and reserved liquid; stir in noodles, sour cream mixture, green onions, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
6. Spread noodle mixture evenly in 9x13 pan, spread meat mixture evenly over noodles, and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes, until cheese is browned and edges are bubbly. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

One Pot Southwest Pasta

One Pot Southwest Pasta
1 lb rotini
2 c frozen corn
1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
1 sm red onion, sliced
1- 10 oz can Rotel
4 t chili powder
1 1/2 t cumin
1 1/2 t garlic powder
1 t red pepper flakes
1 t salt
2 t olive oil
4 c chicken broth
1- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 c Cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
sour cream (opt)
avocados (opt)

1. In a large pot, combine pasta, vegetables, Rotel, spices, olive oil, and chicken broth; cover and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove from heat, and add beans and cheese; let rest for 5 minutes before serving with sour cream and/or avocados.

Southwestern Layered Beef Casserole

Southwestern Layered Beef Casserole
1 T vegetable oil
3/4 c uncooked rice
1- 10 oz can Rotel
1/2 c chicken broth
1 t salt, divided
1/2 t pepper, divided
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, finely chopped
1 T chili powder
2 cloves minced garlic
1 t cumin
1 t coriander
1- 8 oz can tomato sauce
1- 15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 c shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
1 c frozen corn, thawed
2 green onions, sliced

1. Preheat oven to 350* and grease a 9x13 pan.
2. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat; add rice and cook, stirring frequently, until light brown, about 5 minutes.
3. Transfer rice to greased pan; stir in Rotel, broth, 1/2 t salt, and 1/4 t pepper.
4. Place beef, onion, bell pepper, 1/2 t salt, and 1/4 t pepper in the skillet and cook over medium heat until beef is cooked through and vegetables have softened.
5. Stir chili powder, garlic, cumin, and coriander in to the beef mixture and cook until fragrant, about a minute; stir in tomato sauce and cook until slightly thickened.
6. Add beef mixture to pan and spread evenly over rice mixture; layer on beans, cheese, and corn.
7. Cover dish tightly with foil and bake for 60-70 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Uncover, sprinkle with onions, and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Spicy Sausage Pasta

Spicy Sausage Pasta
1 T olive oil
1 lb smoked sausage
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 c chicken broth
1- 10 oz can Rotel*
1/2 c heavy whipping cream [or 1/2 & 1/2]
2 c penne pasta
salt and pepper, to taste
1 c shredded Cheddar cheese
2-3 green onions, sliced

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and toss in sausage and onions; cook until onions are soft. Add garlic and heat until just warmed.
2. Stir in broth, Rotel, cream, pasta, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes.
3. Remove skillet from heat and stir in cheese; top with green onions and serve.

*This determines the heat level - original is plenty spicy, hot is almost unbearable; mild would also work well.

Chicken Bacon Broccoli Skillet

Chicken Bacon Broccoli Skillet
1 pkg [turkey] bacon, diced
2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper
1 onion, diced
1 head broccoli, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 c cooked rice
2- 10 oz cans Rotel
2 T butter
2 T flour
1 c chicken broth
1 c Cheddar cheese

1. Fry up the bacon in the largest skillet you have; drain and set bacon aside.
2. Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season generously with salt and pepper; place in skillet in a single layer and cook each side for 2-3 minutes, until cooked through. Set aside with bacon.
3. Place onion and broccoli in the same skillet and cook over medium-high heat until onions have caramelized and broccoli is tender; add garlic and heat until fragrant.
4. Stir in bacon, chicken, rice, and Rotel; reduce heat to low.
5. In a small pot, melt butter and whisk in flour; stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in cheese.
6. Pour cheese sauce over skillet, stir well, and add salt and pepper to taste.

King Ranch Chicken

King Ranch Chicken
1/4 c butter
1 bell pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
1- 10.75 oz can cream of chicken soup
1- 10.75 oz can cream of mushroom soup
1- 10 oz can Rotel tomatoes and chiles
2 c cubed cooked chicken (about 2 breasts)
12 corn tortillas
2 c shredded Cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 325* and lightly grease a 9x13 pan.
2. In a large pan, melt butter and saute pepper and onion until tender.
3. Add soups, Rotel, and chicken and stir until well blended.
4. Alternately layer tortillas, chicken mixture, and cheese in the pan - two layers each.
5. Bake for 40 minutes.

Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken

Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken
2 c chicken broth
1 can black beans
1 c frozen corn
1 can Rotel tomatoes and chiles
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 onion, diced
1 t garlic salt
1 t cumin
1 t onion powder
1 t chili powder
3 chicken breasts
salt and pepper, to taste
rice, cooked
Cheddar cheese (opt)
green onions (opt)
cilantro (opt)

1. Mix broth, beans, corn, Rotel, garlic, onions, and spices in a slow cooker; top with chicken.
2. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours; shred chicken half an hour before serving and return to slow cooker.
3. Season with salt and pepper; serve over rice, topped with cheese and green onions or cilantro.

Man Dip

Man Dip
1 lb breakfast sausage or ground beef
1 block [light] cream cheese
1- 10 oz can Rotel

1. Brown the meat in a large pan; drain.
2. Melt cream cheese in to meat and stir in Rotel.
Serve warm with tortilla chips.