Simple Tortilla Casserole
Prep time: 10 minutes; Baking time: 30 minutes

Purchased ingredients:                                                   Prepped ingredients:

Whole grain tortillas                                                           Grated cheddar and jack cheese
Salsa or chili sauce                                                            Chopped cilantro
Black olives, drained                                                          Chopped green and purple cabbage
Grilled peppers, canned or jar, drained
Black or pinto beans, drained

1. Pour a bunch of salsa or chili verde sauce into the bottom of a 9 x 13 glass casserole dish.
2. Place 3 tortillas on top of the salsa or sauce.
3. Cover with ½ of the cheese.
4. Beans next.
5. Then peppers.
6. Sprinkle on the cilantro and olives.
7. Layer with more torts.
8. Top it off with a healthy dousing of salsa or chili sauce.
9. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 28 minutes.
10. Remove foil, sprinkle on remaining cheese and bake 2 more minutes.
11. Top with a lot of cabbage at the table for added zip and crunch.

This dinner is so quick, so yummy, and so simple, that you won’t even mind that it is a complete protein, high fiber, and low fat meal!

My choice is to shop at our local co-op for all canned or prepared items; I buy organic and I recommend you consider this as well—there will be no added fats, coloring, sweeteners, preservatives, etc. Having said that, the point here is to have a quick and delish dinner, you should buy whatever you think is best.

You already know that I am not a recipe user. I love free flow creativity in the kitchen. This dish can have virtually anything you want to put in it that you and your family like and that maintains the Mexican or Spanish flavor. And of course, you can leave out any of the ingredients that don’t thrill you.

Finally, I sometimes buy a bunch of rice to go with this dinner. There’s a fab little Mexican place in town, called Tortilla Grill, which uses all organic ingredients for their rice and beans. It makes me feel better to bring that kind of rice home for an easy side dish to an already simple dinner. The big box food stores sell cooked Mexican or Spanish style rice also, again your choice. Occasionally, if I am feeling really sassy, I will throw the rice into the casserole, on top of the beans to bake into the cheesy goodness!

Enjoy this meal—it is one that kids and spouses like—if you have them around the house—and either way, you’ll love it because of the ease and taste!

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Robin Mallery

Robin Mallery is passionate about food! Starting from where and how it's grown, to how far that food travels to the dinner table, to how it is prepared and savored...Robin blends shopping, cooking, and eating tips with her unique Kitchen Zen and mindful meals approach to enjoying real food.

While you are waiting for her to finish the upcoming book, "Kitchen Zen: The Journey to Nourish Body and Soul in Our Changing World", you can find Robin's sporadic blog posts here or on FaceBook.

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