Cheeseburger Wraps

I like these better than a regular cheeseburger. While I love bread, I am not a fan of burger buns. This is a great alternative!

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb ground beef

1/2 of a small onion, chopped

2 Tablespoons Ketchup

1 Tablespoon Mustard

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 Tablespoon Pickle Juice

Pepper

Flour Tortillas (we use medium for the kids, large for us)

Cheddar Cheese

Fillings (we use tomatoes, spinach or shredded lettuce, and pickles)

DIRECTIONS:

Brown the beef and onion. Drain fat.

Mix in the ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and pickle juice. Add pepper to taste. Cook a few minutes, until heated through.

 Put desired amount of cheese on tortilla, then add burger and whatever other fillings you want. Roll up like a burrito. 

Spray both sides with cooking spray. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Place wrap seam-side down and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 3-4 minutes on each side.

 Enjoy!

Tato Taco Casserole

We may have an obsession with taco flavored things. But they are always so yummy!!

INGREDIENTS:
Crust:
1.5 cups mashed potato flakes
8 oz sour cream
2/3 cup water
Filling:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup taco sauce
2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or mexi-blend, both are good!)
Topping:
1.5 cups shredded lettuce
1 large tomato, diced
Tortilla chips, slightly crushed

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350F.
Combine crust ingredients in medium bowl. Press into 8x8 dish. Bake for about 25 minutes, until edges start to brown.

Meanwhile, brown ground beef in skillet. Drain. Stir in taco sauce, heat through. Add cheese and mix well. Spread evenly over baked crust.
Top with lettuce, tomato, and tortilla chips. Enjoy!

Taco Rice

One of my favorite discoveries in Okinawa is Taco Rice. While it sounds like it would be a Mexican dish, it is actually a Japanese dish that is very popular here in Okinawa.  Delicious!

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb ground beef
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pack taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
6 servings rice (I use brown Minute Rice)
2 cups shredded cheddar
lettuce, cut into bit sized pieces
tomato, diced
salsa
sour cream


DIRECTIONS:
Stir fry ground beef in vegetable oil. Drain.
Cook rice according to package directions.
Add taco mix and water. Heat over low until water is evaporated. Mix in about 1 cup of shredded cheese and let melt over low heat.
Put meat mixture on top of rice. Top with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa and sour cream. 

Taco Meatloaf

I hate meatloaf. I refuse to eat it and therefore refused to make it. I noticed a recipe for taco meatloaf on pinterest, however, and I was curious. Since it sounded good, and Matt likes meatloaf, I figured I would give it a try. I am so glad I did, it is delicious! It tastes pretty much like a taco (and nothing like meatloaf!) but without the crunch of a taco. Try it!

(Update: turns out I don't hate all meat loaf. HERE is another good meatloaf recipe!)

INGREDIENTS:
1 egg
1/2 cup sour cream (plus more for serving, optional)
1/3 cup salsa (plus more for serving, optional)
1 pack Taco seasoning
1 cup crushed Taco flavored Doritos
1.5 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
2 lb ground beef
shredded lettuce (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Mix the egg, sour cream, salsa, seasoning, doritos, and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Add ground beef and mix.
Shape into loaf in baking dish. Bake @350F for about 60 minutes (or longer if meat isn't done).
Top with remaining cheese. Cover loosely with foil to help cheese melt.


Recipe was adapted from HERE

Taco Salad

This was one of the first meals Matt and I made together. It's really quick and easy (15 minutes, tops), but cooking is always more fun with someone else in the kitchen! Delicious on a hot day! Or a cold one haha, but I always think of it as a summer food.

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup taco sauce
6 cups bite-sized lettuce
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into strips
2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 small can black olives, drained
1.5 cups shredded cheddar
Fritos
Thousand Island Dressing

DIRECTIONS:
Brown Beef. Drain. Stir in taco sauce. Cook 2-3 minutes.
Toss lettuce, bell pepper, tomatoes, olives, and cheese in a large bowl.
Spoon hot beef mixture over lettuce mixture. Toss.
Serve with dressing and Fritos.

NOTES:
Fritos and Dressing can be mixed into the salad, but stuff will get soggy if they sit for long. We like it better to just put some on the salad after dishing up.