Layered Beef and Black Bean Nacho Casserole

• ground beef1

  or use Italian pork sausages, casings removed

• medium onion↗1

  chopped

• fresh minced garlic1 -2

  or to taste

• medium green bell pepper1

  seeded and chopped

• jalapeno pepper1 -2

  seeded and finely chopped, optional

• salsa1 1⁄2 cup
• corn kernel↗1 cup
• sour cream↗1 cup
• taco seasoning mix2 tablespoon

  I use 1/2 package

• salt and pepper

  to taste

• black beans↗1

  (19 ounce) can, rinsed and drained

• tortilla chips4 cup

  coarsly crushed, can use more

• shredded cheddar cheese↗3 cup

  divided, or use Monterey Jack cheese

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Grease a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish or a 3-quart oval baking dish.

2. 2

   In a large skillet cook the ground beef with onions, garlic, green bell pepper and jalapeno pepper until completely cooked; drain fat then add in taco seasoning mix (you may add in more than 2 tablespoons if desired) cook stirring for 2 minutes, then season with salt and pepper to taste, remove from heat then mix in salsa, corn and sour cream.

3. 3

   Place HALF each of the ground beef mixture, black beans, 2 cups tortilla chips then 1-1/2 cups shredded cheese (or to taste).

4. 4

   Repeat with remaining ground beef, beans and then 2 cups crushed tortilla chips, leave the remaining 1-1/2 cups cheese to sprinkle on top the last 5 minutes of cooking.

5. 5

   Bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes or until just heated through.

6. 6

   After cooking sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top, you can return to oven to melt if desired.