Tex Mex Casserole

By gpawilson

Easy enough for kids to make....delicious. Basic enough to add your own adaptations!

Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz) pkg whole wheat elbow macaroni, cooked
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/2 C chopped onion, optional
• 2/3 C water
• 1 (1.25 oz) pkg taco seasoning
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 C red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (2.25 oz) can sliced black olives
• 1 12 C reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese, divided.

Preparation

Step 1

1. Cook elbow macaroni according to directions; drain and set aside.
2. Brown ground beef and onion over medium heat.
3. Drain the beef. Add water, taco seasoning, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
4. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Stir in cooked macaroni, chopped red pepper, sliced black olives and 1 cup shredded cheese.
6. Spray a medium size baking dish with cooking spray. Pour in casserole mixture.
7. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake for 30 minutes in a preheated 350 deg. oven.

Serve warm.