Southwest Casserole

Call them a hotdish, call them a casserole - whatever they are, they are delish! If you are from Minnesota, you know ALL about the hotdish and how yummy, hearty and filling they are! The hubs made fun of me constantly when we first got together and was always asking why we had to have hotdishes for the majority of our meals... Guess his Arizona stomach didn't know what to do with a good Minnesota hotdish! :) He has gotten used to it over the years though and appreciated this tasty hotdish that I cooked up!!



Southwest Casserole
(recipe found at www.amandascookin.com)

1 pound ground beef
1 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced orange bell pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon magic dust seasoning or montreal steak seasoning
16 ounces tomato sauce
1 10 ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles
1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 cups frozen corn
2 ounces shredded mexican 4 cheese blend
1 1/2 cups dried macaroni style pasta
1 cup shredded mexican 4 cheese blend
sliced green onions for garnish

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a 2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray. In a large skillet brown ground beef with onions, bell pepper and red pepper flakes. Season with magic dust or steak seasoning.

Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano and chili powder. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add frozen corn and simmer for a few more minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the 2 ounces of cheese until melted. Gently stir in cooked pasta. Pour all into prepared casserole dish and top with shredded cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Garnish with green onions if desired.