Family Recipes

Now as I promised here is another post today so I can be all caught up! Woo Hoo!!! Yep I'm excited easily people ;) and that's how it should be because otherwise what fun would there be in life. Take joy in the little things I say! Now on with the rest of the point of this blog.

I have two recipes that I'm going to share this evening, and they are both family recipes. The first is one that my sister had gotten from a friend from hers from college I believe. This is not her recipe though. My husband and I have thought of different ways to tweak it to make it our own (and it tastes way better too!). As always here are the pictures of the Beef Enchilada Casserole and it will be followed by the recipe.

Beef Enchilada Casserole

This is what it looks like with all the layers done and the enchilada sauce poured over it.

After you take it out of the oven you just top it with your favorite Mexican toppings.

 TA DA!!! Yummy!!!

 

 

Ingredients:



18 yellow corn tortillas
2 (10oz) cans red enchilada sauce. (I use mild, but if you like it spicy go for it!)
3 cups of shredded Colby jack (use more if you want I didn't measure it exactly)
1lb ground taco meat
1 cup chopped lettuce
1 diced tomato
1 diced avocado

Instructions:
First you need to make your taco meat. Brown hamburger in a large skillet over medium high heat. Make sure to follow the directions on the package of taco seasoning you are using. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350. Line a 9x13 pan with foil (I honestly don't know what size the pan I used was, but it is a large pan so adjust recipe if needed with tortillas). Pour half a can of enchilada sauce onto bottom of pan and make sure it's spread all around. Then lay down 6 tortillas. On top of that add some ground beef then 1 cup cheese on that. Layer with 6 more tortillas then top with beef and then 1 cup cheese then add other half of the can of enchilada sauce over the top of layers. Then top with the last 6 tortillas and then last cup cheese and last can of enchilada sauce. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted all the way through. Take out of the oven and then add chopped lettuce, tomato and avocado. Serve with sour cream if desired.



~Now it is time for my husband and I's absolute favorite recipe! I first got this type of recipe from my Aunt Jenny. However, after making it several times Kyle and I have changed it almost completely from what it was originally with our own twist on this delicious dish. You have to admit making your own recipes are fun! Here are some pictures of our Chicken Bacon Ranch Tortellini and it will be followed by the recipe.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Tortellini

 

 

Ingredients:



1 package Bertolli three-cheese tortellini (we used two smaller packages of another brand here because we couldn't find the Bertolli)
1 can black olives (can easily add more, can be chopped, sliced, or whole)
3 Roma tomatoes, chopped
2 cooked chicken breasts, chopped
3-6 strips of turkey bacon, chopped (the husband prefers regular bacon)
2 cups Ranch dressing (more or less as desired, we like to have a lot in it)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (add more if needed)
Dash of Italian Seasoning
Olive oil
Directions:
1. Cook the chicken to near-done on the skillet. If you have time to bake it you can do that too, as it makes things a lot easier.
2. Remove the chicken from the heat, and wait until step 6 to finish it. Chop the chicken into small cubes and season with Italian Seasoning.
3. Boil a large pot of water and put the tortellini in it. Follow package directions on how long to boil. Poor a little bit of olive oil in the water and stir to help keep the noodles from sticking as much. Keep stirring until done.
4. Cook the bacon. Hubby likes to chop turkey bacon before cooking, but regular bacon he cooks first and then crumbles it. Really it only matters how you can best do it, as long as the pieces are small (no bigger than the chicken).
5. While the noodles and bacon are cooking, prepare everything else by chopping the tomatoes and/or olives, and getting the cheese and dressing measured.
6. When the bacon is nearly done, put the chicken in with it. The chicken will finish cooking, while also getting a little bit of the bacon flavor into the meat. This is much more noticeable with the regular bacon, but still nice with the turkey bacon.
7. By the time the meat is done, the noodles should be done as well. Drain the water from the tortellini then combine the chicken, noodles, tomatoes and olives into a large bowl and mix it well. Then add the dressing and cheese.
8. Place the entire dish into the refrigerator for about an hour or two, and then serve!