Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas

 1 lb ground beef

1/2 white onion, diced

1 1/2 tbsp taco seasoning

1/4 cup water

8 taco size tortillas, flour

2 cups enchilada sauce

16 oz. marbled cheddar cheese

Optional Toppings

sour cream

pico de gallo

diced avocado

diced green onions

preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat until beef is crumbled and no longer pink.  Drain any fat and return skillet to oven.  Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and water.  Stir until combined and water absorbs into the ground beef.  Remove from heat. 

Spread about 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9X13" casserole dish to evenly coat the bottom.

Add 1/3 cup of the ground beef mixture in a straight line to the center of each tortilla.  Add about 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese and roll up tightly.  Lay seam side down in the casserole dish.  Repeat until the casserole dish is filled with the rolled enchiladas.  If you have any remaining ground beef, sprinkle it over the top of the rolled enchiladas.  

Spread the rest of the enchilada sauce over the top of the tortillas, making sure the coat each tortilla.  Sprinkle the remaining cheese all over the top and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the center is bubbly. 

 Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

One-Pot Cheesy Italian Pasta and Chicken

 Ingredients

8 ounces baby spinach leaves, divided

1 cup (7 ounces) sundried tomatoes packed in oil and italian herbs 

1 large yellow onion, sliced

1 pound uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast ( cut into 1/2 " bite size pieces)

6 garlic cloves, sliced

1 pound dry linguine

2 t. dried Italian seasoning

2 t. kosher salt

1 t. fresh ground pepper

1/2 t crushed red pepper flakes

5 cups chicken broth

4 ounces fresh parmesan cheese, shredded

Instructions

Combine 1/2 of the spinach with the tomatoes. onion, chicken, garlic, linguine, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper in a 5 quart dutch oven over medium high heat.  Pour chicken broth over the top. Cover and bring to a boil. 

Cook 7-9 minutes until pasta is al dente (with bite to it).  Toss pasta with tongs occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. You will still have some liquid in the pan when the pasta is done cooking.  This is going to make the base for out delicious cheese sauce. 

Turn of the heat and add the cheese tot he pasta.  Toss pasta with tongs until the cheese melts into the pasta.  Toss in remaining spinach.

Serve and enjoy.  

Cheesy Southwest Soup

Ingredients 

2 t. minced garlic

1/4 cup onion, minced

1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (I use 3 cans of canned chicken)

2 T. olive oil

1 T. fajita seasoning

1 (11 ounce) can mexicorn (drained)

1 (15 ounce) can black beans (rinsed and drained)

1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies

3 cups chicken broth

1 t. cumin

1/2 t chili powder

salt and pepper to taste

8 ounce velveeta cheese (cubed)

Topping

cilantro 

sour cream

avacado

tortilla chips

In a stock pot over medium heat, cook garlic, onion, and chicken breasts in olive oil until browned.  Sprinkle with Fajita seasoning, and stir until combined.  

Add mexicorn, black beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder,  and salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in velveeta cheese until it is completely melted.  Pour into bowls and serve.  Top ciliantro, sour cream and avocado and tortilla strips.