Shelly's Recipe

BEEFY THREE-CHEESE ENCHILADAS

Category: Casseroles - Beef

3 lbs ground beef
2 tbsp garlic, pressed or minced
2 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
48 oz mild salsa or picante sauce (for use with beef mix)
1 1/2 lbs cream cheese, softened and cut into chunks
6 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
3 red or green peppers, finely chopped
36 (6 inch) tortillas
48 oz mild salsa or picante sauce (for topping)
4 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Note: These instructions are for make-ahead freezer meals (6 meals of 4 servings each). However, if you are cooking for a crowd, simply use a large pan and skip the freezing instructions. For a chicken version, substitute shredded cooked chicken for the ground beef.

In a stock pan over medium heat, brown ground beef. Drain and return to pan. Over medium heat add garlic, cumin, chili power and salsa; stir to combine. When mixture is heated, add cream cheese chunks, stirring until melted. Stir in cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese and peppers. Remove from heat and set aside.

Assemble enchiladas by placing 1/2 cup beef-and-cheese mixture onto each tortilla and rolling. Place 6 enchiladas in each container. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down to cling to food. Pkg salsa in snack bags, 1 cup per meal. Pkg cheese in snack bags, 3/4 cup per meal. Place a pkg of salsa and cheese in each container and cover. Freeze.

Defrost in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350. Remove lid, salsa, cheese and plastic wrap. Spread salsa over enchiladas and cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Bake until bubbly around edges and hot in the center, about 30 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle with cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving. Serves 24