Queso Casserole

Mexican QUESO CASSEROLE – this is an amazingly delicious and easy way to use up leftover meat of any kind! It’s a family favorite!Queso Casserole

I love leftovers.

That may sound like a very weird thing to say, but it’s true.  I love recreating new ways to use them up.  Sometimes I even pretend I’m on Chopped – and my mystery basket contains all the things from the fridge that need to be used.  I can pretend to play Chopped from the comfort of my own kitchen, but I could never be a contestant on that show.   Now, I could totally make some delectable eats from those mystery baskets (well, most of them – some of them make me gag) – but that 30 minute time constraint? Um, no.  Not happening.  I don’t move fast in the kitchen. Like, at all.

This is why playing Chopped in my own kitchen, under no time limits at all, is the best choice for this lady. I don’t wanna be that chick on Chopped that only got an onion chopped in 30 minutes. That would be embarrassing. Just a little bit.

One of the things I’ve made during one of my crazy leftover transformation escapades is one that has stuck around and is a favorite among all who’s had it. I’ve never named it until now.  It was previously called That Cheesy Thing I Make with Leftovers’. Catchy, right?  I thought so too.

Instead, I decided to go with Queso Casserole because my homemade queso cheese (the very same one that goes on my nachos) is what makes this so good. Like insanely good. But, if you don’t feel like making queso from scratch (it’s seriously easy though, so check it out!) – you can use the premade queso in the refrigerated Mexican food section of your grocery store. I won’t tell.

So, the standard ingredients for this are the queso (yum), tortillas,  & enchilada sauce. Now for the leftovers, this is a fantastic way to use up leftover meat & veggies sitting in your fridge.  Because everything tastes good smothered in sauce & cheese, right? I never make this the same way.  Sometimes I use leftover Mexican style meat, sometimes pot roast… or chicken, crumbled up hamburgers, pork, bbq, whatever really.  And then I just mix whatever leftover veggies I have on hand in there too.

So, first – you  pour a little enchilada sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish just to coat the bottom and keep the tortillas from sticking.  Place a layer of tortillas  on top. Tear them in pieces to make them fit if need be.

Queso Casserole

In saucepan, combine whatever leftover meat & veggies you have.  Add in a couple tablespoons of enchilada sauce to make it saucy – and to allow it to mix a little better. This time,  I used leftover shredded pork and threw in some black eyed peas & corn that was also leftover inside of the fridge.

Now, let’s layer.  Spread some of your meat/veggie mixture on top of the tortillas.

Queso Casserole

Pour on a little queso.  Then drizzle on some enchilada sauce.

Queso Casserole

Top with tortillas, and then began the whole layering process again – and repeat until everything is used up.

Throw the mixture into the oven for about 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees – just to heat thru.  Top with green onions, if desired.

Ta-da, don’t that look killer? Eat up, y’all!

Queso Casserole

Queso Casserole

Ingredients

  • leftover meat shredded pork, chicken, hamburger meat, whatever!
  • leftover veggies again, whatever!
  • queso - use this recipe or buy premade queso in the refrigerated Mexican section
  • flour tortillas heck, use corn tortillas instead if that's what you got!
  • enchilada sauce I used the stuff in the can - a little less than 2 can's worth
  • green onions

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Pour a little enchilada sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish just to coat the bottom and keep the tortillas from sticking. Place a layer of tortillas on top. Tear them in pieces to make them fit if need be.
  • In saucepan, combine whatever leftover meat & veggies you have. Add in a couple tablespoons of enchilada sauce to make it saucy – and to allow it to mix a little better. Now, let’s layer. Spread some of your meat/veggie mixture on top of the tortillas.
  • Pour on a little queso. Then drizzle on some enchilada sauce.
  • Top with tortillas, and then began the whole layering process again – and repeat until everything is used up.
  • Throw the mixture into the oven for about 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees – just to heat thru. Top with green onions, if desired.

Queso Casserole, great way to use up leftover meat & veggies!