Mexican Stack Up

Lately I have been cooking my way through meals that I grew up eating as a child. Brings back that warm comfort of childhood.

A few weeks ago I made Mexican Stack Up. An all time favorite of every one of my siblings and now a favorite of our own families we are raising. 

I have been trying to think of a different name for this dish. Mexican Stack Up sounds to me like the results of a drunken night spent south of the border. Not that I have personally had that happen....of course. The name just takes my mind places all on its own.  My mind does that a lot. So what shall it be? Burrito Stack Up? Burrito Lasagna? Oh hell, I guess what has been, for over twenty years, shall remain....Mexican Stack Up it is. At least for the purposes of this blog.

It is funny because when I told my siblings about making this dish, one had me make it for them that night and the other put it on their menu list. It is a dish that brings back fond memories of family friends, times together, meals shared, and my brother's ability to clear a room after eating a meal with beans in it. 

I have had to modify the recipe some over the years because Campbell's Soup stopped making the specific bean soup that the dish originally called for. Now I just use Hormel's canned chili with beans. I honestly think it makes for a better dish. This is a quick, easy, meal your family will love!

So we begin....

                Mexican Stack Up

Ingredients:

~1LBS-ground beef or turkey (I usually use turkey but this tube of red "meat" was marked clearance. No one died so I'd say it worked out)

~1-10.5oz of Campbell's Nacho Cheese Soup

~1-can of Hormel's Chili

~16oz Shredded Cheese (grate your own for God sakes! It is so much better!)

~1 package of flour tortillas 

~desired toppings (i.e. sour cream, tomatoes...blah blah blah)

Preheat your oven to 375*F

    Start by browning your ground meat. 

At this point if you wanted to add a taco seasoning you could. I never have but I think it could actually add greatness to an already flavorful dish. You could really make it as spicy as you'd like. 

While your ground meat is browning, in a mixing bowl add the Campbell's Nacho Cheese soup and the Hormel's Chili. I use the original chili with beans. Hormel's has a ton of options. You can buy no bean, spicy, and vegetarian. Not sure why you'd choose vegetarian since this dish has meat in it but you no meat people amaze me with all the fake meats you use so do whatever pleases your tummy.

  Yes it looks a bit like diarrhea. Get past that! So, this is the part I ALWAYS screw up. You need to add a little water to thin it out a bit. I always either add too much or not enough. So take your life into your hands and eyeball it. It all smashes together as it baked so get over it. Pour in some water and mix it around.

Once your ground meat is nice and brown, thus lacking any bacteria that will kill you, add the soup mixture to the pan.

     ooohhhhh yummy taco goodness!

While that mixture of Mexican heaven is heating through, grate your cheese. You can really use any kind of cheese you happen to like. I've used sharp and cheddar cheese. If you want to defy nature and get already shredded cheese you could also use a Mexican blend or taco blend. I have seen this in both the name brand and store brand option of cheese selection. 

If you were lazy and bought already grated cheese you suck. I was you once. I know this mistake. But you are missing a huge joy in life. Cheese you grate yourself melts much better. It melts into this cheesy melty joy of heaven. Like baby Jesus sprinkled cheese onto your dish. Trust me. Grated is great! Okay so it is 5:00am, I am a little corny;)

                Chessus Jesus!

Now comes some assembly.....first make a layer of flour tortillas on the bottom of a 9X13 pan. If you want a thicker stack up use an 8X8....or is it an 8X11??? I am not getting out of bed to check so just use a smaller dish. Glass dish preferred. No reason other than it is what I have always used so do it.

My first layer always turns out perfect! Look at that! Look at it! Two perfectly cut flour tortillas making love in my 9X13 dish....don't worry my perfection ends here. The second layer of flour tortillas always goes to hell on me. 

Next layer HALF of you meat mixture on top.

I also ALWAYS screw this part up as well and use way more than half, thus screwing up my next layer. It is a delicate row of dominoes people! Pay attention!

Next add a layer of cheese.

    You can never use too much cheese.

Now you have to repeat the last three steps. Duh! It's a stack up....stack that bitch up!

Add your second layer of flour tortillas.

See screwed it up! You can see where I had to rip chunks of tortillas to fill in holes:( Flour tortilla victory was so close...yet so far.

Now add your second layer of meat mixture.

See screwed this up too! Told ya so! This layer was much thinner than it's twin underneath it. Whatever. Like I said, it all mushes up into a little slice of Mexican heaven later so move on.

Add your top layer of cheese.

            I never run out of cheese. 

Now pop this dish into the oven for about 30-45minutes. I just keep it in there until it is all bubbly and yummy looking. I do not cover it. You could broil it if you wanted crusted cheese but I am not speaking to my broiler right now so you do whatever is best for your love life with your oven.

After it has basked in oven glory you will have a cheesy burrito goodness no one will pass by.

                     Sabroso!!

You can dress this dish up any way you please. You can add onions to the meat as it is browning....or before...or however fancy chefs do that. You can also add shredded lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, and guacamole to your serving. The possibilities are endless. 

I usually serve it with a side of Lipton's, or it might be call Korr or something now old that, Spanish rice or Taco rice. A side salad might find it's way to the plate too, but not often. Usually I just top the servings with sour cream....

    And that is what is for dinner!!

Story behind the pink princess plate. Yup poor Belle is hiding under that Mecjcan Stack Up. There's a Disney movie plot the kids should miss. Any way, I was a huge moron loser and forgot to start the fully loaded, soap even it, dishwasher. We were digging through bare cupboards looking to use anything that resembled a plate. Don't judge me? We all know you have used a Tupperware lid as a plate during a great time of need! Don't act like you haven't!

I hope you enjoy this dish! Please send me pics on Instagram @SpunkyMonkey99 if you make this dish. Leave comments below if you altered the recipe or with suggestions that might make it better! Would love to hear from you!

Enjoy!!