Foodie Friday

I've been in a food rut again.  I just can't seem to channel my inner Paula Deen & create any fabulous meals.  The other day I was wondering what I should make for dinner (like I do just about every day) when I came across a delicious looking recipe on my blogger friend, Kellie's, blog.  I decided to run to the grocery store to get all of the ingredients & give it a try that night.

Taco Stuffed Shells

Ingredients
1lb ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
1 4 once package cream cheese
12 large pasta shells
1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 cup Monterey jack cheese (shredded)
1 ½ cups tortilla chips (crushed)
3 green onions (chopped)

1 cup sour cream

Directions

* In a fry pan cook ground beef and add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions.

* Add cream cheese, cover and simmer until cheese is melted.  Blend well.  Set aside and allow to fully cool.

* While meat is cooling, cook the pasta shells, drain & toss well with butter.

* Pour salsa in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

* Stuff each shell with meat mixture.  

* Place the stuffed shells in the baking dish & cover the tops of the shells with taco sauce.

* Cover and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

* After 30 minutes, uncover, and sprinkle crushed chips and shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey jack cheeses on top.

* Cook for about 15 more minutes.

* Serve with sour cream, additional salsa, black olives, or whatever you think goes good with tacos.

Final Verdict: Very tasty!  We both LOVED the meat mixture & commented how it would taste awesome as a dip!  Next time we talked about omitting the shells (though they were very good) and just crunching up chips & pouring the meat mixture over the chips, kind of like nachos.  It had a great flavor & the girls seemed to like it too, which is always a plus.  I served it with Spanish rice & a salad. We all really enjoyed the meal & I definitely plan on making it again!