Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

Corn tortillas come in different varieties. The sturdy yellow corn tortillas will have more flavor, and hold up better in this casserole, but they do require "softening" or cooking in a little oil before layering. If you use tender white corn tortillas, you may not need to soften them.

Yield: Serves 8

Ingredients

Olive oil
1 1/4 lbs ground beef or ground turkey
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander seeds
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 14-oz can refried pinto beans (or you can make your own refried beans)
2 medium onions, chopped, about 2 1/2 cups
1 red bell pepper, stem and seeds removed, chopped, about 1 cup
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 28-oz can crushed or diced tomatoes, preferably "Fire Roasted"
1 7-oz can diced green Anaheim chiles
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 corn tortillas (choose sturdy tortillas mad with yellow corn)
2 cups coarsely grated Monterey Jack cheese (about 8 oz)
2 cups coarsely grated mild cheddar cheese (about 8 oz)

Extras
Sour cream
Avocado
Cilantro
Iceberg lettuce

Method

1. Brown the ground beef: Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large sauté pan or cast iron frying pan on medium high heat. Add the ground meat, breaking it up as you add it.
2. Sprinkle with salt. Sprinkle on the chile powder, cayenne, cumin, and coriander. Increase the heat to high. Add another 2 Tbsp of olive oil.
3. Do not stir the meat unnecessarily. Allow the meat to brown on one side, and then stir it so the other side can be browned.
4. As soon as the meat is browned, remove the pan from the burner. The meat will continue to cook in the heat of the pan.
5. Once you are sure that the meat is cooked through, use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the pan to a bowl. Set aside.
6. Visit simplyrecipes.com for full directions.

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