Babe's Casserole Trifecta: Second Contender

Like a good hubby, Babe returned from his recent transcontinental jaunt loaded down with Belgian chocolates pour moi...

In exchange for lugging several pounds of chocolate through Europe, Asia then customs he was lovingly rewarded with his much requested Mexican lasagna upon his stateside return. Chocolates, Babe AND a post with one casserole...Who's the lucky one in this exchange?

1 1/2 lb ground beef

packet of taco seasoning

24 oz Picante sauce mixed with 2 1/2 cups water (4 cup measure works well for this)

large block of Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño, shredded

2 cups sour cream

small can chopped black olives

box lasagna noodles

Brown beef, drain and add taco seasoning and continue cooking according to packet directions. In large casserole dish cover bottom with a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles. Layer with half the taco meat following with another layer of uncooked noodles. Repeat. Pour Picante sauce mixed with water covering entire dish. Wrap tightly with foil and cook at 350 degrees for 80 minutes. Combine sour cream and black olives. Remove foil, evenly cover with sour cream mixture then shredded cheese. Return to oven til cheese is completely melted, about 10 minutes.

You are welcome to substitute with whole wheat noodles and ground turkey in any attempts to gussie this dish up health wise. I even had a friend add two pureed veggies to my spaghetti pie. Pshaw...I'd be de-crowned as wife of the year plus I'd just be fooling myself considering I almost polished off all chocolates in a less than 48 hour period...

Kindness of Babe for knowing chocolate ranks right up there with Hermes enamel cuffs in the French-ish territory gift giving department and Melissa White for the Mexican lasagna recipe oh so many years ago...XXOO