Mexican Stack Recipes

STACKED BEEF ENCHILADAS (AKA MEXICAN LASAGNA)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and the baking soda. Mix with your hands until evenly combined. Let sit on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes.
• While the beef sits, prepare the sauce. Set an oven rack about 5 inches beneath the heating element and preheat the broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Toss the tomatoes, onions, and garlic with the vegetable oil directly on the prepared baking sheet. Broil until softened and charred, 12 to15 minutes (if the vegetables are browning too quickly, give them a quick stir with a rubber spatula). Transfer the vegetables and juices to a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Add the salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper and pulse until just slightly chunky. Add the cilantro and pulse until the cilantro is chopped. Set the sauce aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring frequently and breaking into pieces, until just slightly pink, about 2 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes more, or until cooked through.
• To assemble: Preheat oven to 350°F and move the oven rack to the center position. Lightly oil a 9x13-in glass or ceramic baking dish.
• Set aside 1 cup of the sauce for the top of the casserole. (You want to ensure that you have enough to cover the top layer of tortillas, otherwise they won't cook through.)
• Line the bottom of the prepared baking dish with a layer of tortillas, overlapping them slightly. Spoon half of the beef (and any juices) over the tortillas. Top with half of the sauce and ⅓ of the cheese. Repeat with another layer of tortillas, the remaining beef, remaining sauce, and ⅓ of the cheese. Top with the remaining tortillas. Spread the reserved sauce over the tortillas and cover completely. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over top. Bake, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is completely melted.
• Note: Chipotle chili powder is smoky and hot and makes this dish a little spicy. For a milder dish, replace the chipotle chili powder with ancho chili powder, which isn't as hot.
• MAKE-AHEAD/FREEZER-FRIENDLY INSTRUCTIONS: The casserole can be prepared ahead of time, tightly covered with foil, and refrigerated for up to two days or frozen for up to 3 months before baking (if frozen, defrost in the refrigerator before cooking). It can also be fully baked, tightly covered with foil, and refrigerated for up to two days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat: defrost if necessary and heat the covered casserole in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes, or until hot. If you'd rather reheat individual servings, small portions can be zapped in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

VEGETARIAN TORTILLA STACK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute peppers and onion in oil until tender. Stir in meat crumbles, cilantro and cumin; heat through. , Spread 1/4 cup salsa into a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate coated with cooking spray. Layer with one tortilla, a fourth of the meat crumble mixture, 1/4 cup salsa, 1/4 cup cheese, 2 or 3 jalapeno slices and 1 tablespoon olives. Repeat layers three times. Top with remaining tortilla, salsa, olives and jalapeno slices. , Cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until heated through and cheese is melted.

MEXICAN STACK (BUILD YOUR OWN)

Steps:

• 1. This is a buffet style option for casual entertaining.
• 2. Lay items out so guests can build their own "Mexican stack". Start with tostadas or chips, meat, beans, rice, vegetables, sour cream and cheese.

MEAT FOR MEXICAN STACK

Steps:

• Brown meat and onion.
• Drain grease.
• Add other ingredients and simmer for 1 hour.

MEXICAN STACK-UP #RSC

Steps:

• Preheat broiler to high broil. Set the rack 6 inches from the heating element. Place the poblano pepper on a baking sheet and broil for 4 minutes on each side, or until the skin is blistered and rising up.Watch closely so you don't scorch your pepper. Remove from the oven and place the poblano pepper on a sheet of Reynold's Wrap aluminum foil and wrap loosely to allow the pepper to steam for 10 minutes.
• Turn the broiler off and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the green onions and cook for 1 minute, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain all grease from the pan, using a paper towel to soak up any extra grease.
• While the onions and meat are cooking, remove the poblano from the Reynold's Wrap aluminum foil and let cool a bit. Peel the skin from the poblano and dice.
• Add the chicken stock, taco seasoning, cayenne pepper, diced poblano peppers, black beans, corn, cilantro, cream cheese and chives to the skillet. Cook while stirring until it is creamy. Taste and add salt and pepper as you feel is needed. Remove from heat.
• Choose a casserole dish that is at least 2 1/2 inches to 3 inches deep and can hold 2 stacks of 5 inch corn tortillas. Otherwise, you can make two separate casserole dishes. Spray with oil and place 2 corn tortillas (making 2 stacks!) in the casserole dish. Spread 1/4th of the meat mixture on top of the two tortillas. Top with 1/4 of the cheese. Repeat this step 3 times, ending with cheese.
• Loosely tent your casserole dish with Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil. Use no stick Reynolds Aluminum Foil if you are afraid your cheese will attach to the aluminum foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove the Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. Let the dish sit for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!