Mexican Stuffed Shells

Evenin' folks!  "Folks" isn't that such a Midwestern word?  Maybe it is common somewhere else as well but it is so Nebraska to me.  Anyway, now that my kids are Midwesterners, we have been sharing lots of Sunday suppers together!  Last week they invited us over for THE best stuffed shells ever!  They were so good.  I was happy to hear that had worked on preparing them and all of dinner together.  It reminded me of my husband and I when we were young and in love!  Now was are old and MORE in love!

The next day, wait this is probably TMI.  Oh well, who cares, it has never stopped me before.  The next day I am in the shower, happily enjoying the whole process of well.....showering when suddenly my husband manages to time,  opening the curtain AND happily YELLING my name at the same time, nearly giving me a heart attack.  He says, "OMG, call the kids, we are should make our OWN version of non traditional stuffed shells".  I respond with, "Okay honey, cool.  What are we stuffing them with"?  MEXICAN stuffed shells.  Ok, phone call made, plan in action and to the store I go. 

This recipe makes an absurd amount of shells, if you need less, half the recipe, but I guarantee, they will last in your freezer until you need a quick meal and don't feel like cooking! This recipe fed 6 hungry adults

Here is what you will need:
2 boxes of jumbo shells
2 lbs. (plus maybe 1/4) ground beef (feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken)
2 packets taco seasoning, brand of your choice
2 cups grated cheddar
2 cans enchilada sauce
2 large bottles of taco sauce, again your choice

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.  Remember these won't take long in the oven since we are just warming through all the goodness!!

In a skillet, brown your ground meat of choice, when it is completely cooked, drain off any grease put back in the pan and sprinkle in both packets of taco seasoning and stir until it is stirred through.  Set aside to cool.  In the meantime, boil your shells in well salted water, as per the package directions.  Drain well and run cold water over them to stop cooking.  We don't want mashed pasta potatoes. 

Now the easy part.  In the bottom of a 9x13 pour 1 can of enchilada sauce, fill shells with some ground meat, a little cheese until full and place in pan, continue with all shells.  When done, pour 1 jar of taco sauce over the top.  Do this with all shells BEFORE adding cheese on top.  When you are all done take the remaining cheese let is snow on top of both pans.  I actually used 2 9x13's and a loaf pan for the last 6.  Kind of a rinse and repeat sort of situation here.  No rocket science in my kitchen!

Bake for 20-30 minutes.  Feel free to add some salsa on top as well, I just knew my son and hubby would like taco sauce better.  If you want more sauce on top, add both!

We served these with some Mexican rice, and tortilla chips!  DELISH!

ENJOY!

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