Yesterday I was working solo in the kitchen getting ready for company, and posted this photo to instagram –

My sweet bloggy friend in Australia asked for the recipe – so I thought I would post it here!

Layered Taco Bake

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
taco seasoning
2 cups cooked pinto beans mashed, or one can of refried beans
salsa
2-4 tortillas
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain. Add the taco seasoning per the amount the instructions on the packet say. Add the beans and heat through.

Cut the tortillas in half. Lay two to four halves in the bottom of a 9×13 pan, depending on what size tortillas you use. Place half of the meat and bean mixture on top. Add spoonfuls of salsa and spread evenly over meat and beans. Do those three layers again, starting with the tortillas on top of the salsa, the rest of the meat and bean mixture, and more salsa. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the last layer of salsa and cover with foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted. Serve with guacamole, sour cream, and corn chips or bean chips.

*I make homemade refried beans: Soak 3 cups of pinto beans in water overnight in a crock pot. Drain and rinse them in the morning, put them back in the crock pot and re-cover them with water. Add one yellow onion peeled and cut and half, one red onion peeled and cut in half, 8 whole garlic cloves peeled, 1 TBSP of cumin and 1 tsp coriander. Cook beans on low six hours, or until they are soft. Drain in a colander, removing the onions but leaving the garlic. Mash the beans in a large bowl. Use, or freeze in containers to use later.

I also make my taco seasoning –

Taco Seasoning Mix
8 tsp chili powder
8 tsp parsley
6 tsp cumin
4 tsp paprika
4 tsp onion granules
2 tsp sea salt
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp garlic granules

Put ingredients in a mason jar, screw on the lid and shake. Store leftovers in your spice cabinet. Use 2 1/2 Tablespoons per 1 pound of ground meat.

This is an easy make ahead meal that can be set in the fridge till you are ready to bake it.

Enjoy!