Global Gourmet Taco Casserole

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 lb ground beef (lean)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (8 ounce) bottle taco sauce (or salsa, picante, ketchop, or other spiced tomato sauce)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• pepper, to taste
• tabasco sauce, to taste (or any other hot sauce)
• hot chili pepper, to taste
• 2 -3 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 1/2 cups whole kernel corn (fresh or frozen, not canned)
• 1 cup sliced ripe olives
• 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (1/2 cup) or 1/4 cup crushed corn chips or 1/4 cup taco shell, if desired (to garnish)

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 375 degrees.
• 2 brown ground beef and onion over medium heat; drain.
• 3 stir in tomato sauce, taco or other sauce, salt, pepper, tabasco, chiles, and cornmeal, adjusting for"hot" taste preference and desired thickness.
• 4 stir in more cornmeal, if desired.
• 5 stir in corn and olives.
• 6 transfer mixture to casserole dish; cover and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.
• 7 top with cheese immediately on removing from oven so cheese melts.
• 8 garnish with corn chips just before serving to keep them crisp.
• 9 serve with a cool fresh vegetable such as cucumber slices, avocado, or lettuce leaves, if desired.