Quick & Easy Taco Bake

So what do we do with those tortilla chip left in the bottom of the bag? Try a quick to prepare, easy for kids to handle, and economical all in one recipe - that says WOW! No fumbling with taco shells or fixins', ready in 30 minutes or less.

You will need:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 small green bell pepper, diced
1-2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 tbsp minced fresh garlic
1 tsp chili powder
1 small (4 oz) can tomato sauce
8 oz colby-jack cheese shredded
sour cream, salsa or any favorite taco topping
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350. In a large sauce pan, cook ground beef. Stir while cooking to be sure beef will be crumbled. Drain off any fat. Add onion, garlic, and green pepper. Cook over low heat until tender. Add chili powder and tomato sauce. Cover and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Meanwhile spray sides and bottom of a 10" by 8" or 9" square baking pan. Line bottom with crumbled chips. Pour beef mixture over chips. Cover beef with shredded cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until cheese is bubbling. Remove from oven, top with lettuce and tomato and serve along with you favorite taco toppings.

Things I have added:
1 can chili beans with jalepenos. Reduce chili powder by half, add with tomato sauce
substitute 1 cup of salsa for tomato sauce