I did a variation of a recipe from George Stella. His was a noodle-less lasagne. It was good, but I like my Mexican version better. This is more a guideline than a hard-and-fast recipe.

9 X 13 pan

Brown a couple of lbs ground beef and 1/2 to 1 lb ground pork, or any combo of meat that you like. You can use less or more. Experiment!

Add in any veggies like onion, bell peppers, browned, if you want them. They are not absolutely necessary, but impart a nice flavor.

Garlic powder and onion powder to taste, or add fresh garlic if you have it. These powders will enhance the onion and garlic flavors if you use fresh, so don't be afraid to combine them. Just don't use a heavy hand in the seasoning.

1/2 medium can diced tomatoes, drained. (More or less to taste) You could also use a can of tomatoes w/chiles. I would have, but was out of them.

1 can black soybeans, drained and rinsed. (These can be omitted, and it will still be a very good casserole.)

Chili powder to taste. (I like lots!)

Put into pan. Top with the following topping:

2 cups ricotta cheese
3 lg eggs beaten into the cheese
2 cups shredded cheese, your favorite (I use cheddar/jack combo)
6 tablespoons of corn bran
Garlic & onion powder to taste

Sprinkle additional cheese over the top.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 40 - 45 minutes. Let sit for 5 or 10 minutes before serving.

In all of the above, if you think it needs salt or pepper, add it to taste.

If you don't have corn bran, it will be ok without it; however, the corn bran gives it a nice taste that reminds you of corn tortillas or corn bread, and really makes the casserole special.

Don't you just love casseroles? They are so versatile, and can be custom made to suit your individual taste. This one would be good with jalapenos chopped into the meat mixture, maybe some tomato sauce or puree or sf ketchup, and you could even add some veggies, like green beans or bits of asparagus, and vary the color of the bell peppers for a colorful look.

This turned out so good that the next time I have all the kids over for a meal, I'm going to make 2 big pans of it. I think they'll all love it.

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Nita

This looks good Nita. I will try it. Thanks. BTW, the last time I checked, Honeyville no longer had corn bran listed as a product. (More precisely, it was listed in a product index, but there was no product available for purchase when you went to the linked page. I do have a supply from my last order, however, I hope they resume carrying it as I have not found another source for it yet.

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Henry

Nita!
That sounds soooooo YUM!
Any idea on the carb count?
I'm thinkin' next winter storm, casserole here I come!
Thanks for sharing!

Shelley

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Shelley
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Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

I very rarely use tinned tomatoes, is it OK to chop up fresh?

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DANDR

Starting weight: 196 lbs
Current weight: 149 lbs
Goal weight: 130 lbs

Fresh would probably be fine, Alcmene. I use canned because it's hard to find fresh here in the winter except for cherry tomatoes, and I prefer to eat those right out of the package!

Don't really know the carb count without getting out paper & pencil, but it can't be terribly high. Just what's in any veggies you add, and the cheeses, and the corn bran is minimal, because that big pan will make a lot of servings.

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Nita

Wow, that DOES sound good. I get cravings for Mexican food and find it hard to work around the rice, tortillas, etc. This sounds like it will really fill the bill (and yes, I love casseroles!)

Aderyn