Gold Star Recipe

One of my biggest struggles as a mother is finding a recipe that my entire family will enjoy. When trying to meet all of the criteria (healthy, low fat, kid friendly, quick, and easy to prepare) I am often not left with many choices.  When I finally find something that everyone in the family enjoys and eats, I give that recipe a gold star. Thanks to Pinterest, I’ve broadened by repertoire and I’m pleased to share with you one of my new family favorites.

Oven Tacos
2 lbs ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
1 small onion diced
1 small can diced green chilies
1 recipe for Homemade taco seasoning (below)
1 (8 ounce) can low sodium tomato sauce
1 (16 ounce) can fat free refried beans
2 cups shredded reduced fat Colby-jack cheese
18-20 hard taco shells{if gluten free, be sure they are}

Optional Condiments-
Lettuce (shredded)
Tomato (diced)
Salsa
Guacamole
Sour Cream
Olives, sliced

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In a large skillet brown ground beef and onion over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess liquid. Return to pan, add chilies, refried beans, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning. Mix well and cook for a few minutes if mixture seems runny.

Spoon the taco meat mixture into the taco shells and place into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, standing up. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the taco meat in each shell.
Place into the oven and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the tacos are heated through.

Remove from the oven and top with any optional condiments for serving.

Homemade Taco Seasoning
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

In a small bowl, mix all together. Store in an airtight container.

I used all of this on two pounds of ground meat with a little water mixed in.

Mindy Seals works in the information technology division at Texas Health Resources and is balancing work, married life, raising two kids and loving this Pinterest inspired recipe.