Burger Casserole - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 lb. ground beef
1 onion
salt and pepper to taste
4 c. cooked rice
2 small cans green chili peppers (mild)
1 medium jar picante sauce (mild)
1 large can tomato paste
grated cheese
tortilla chips
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, chopped fine
2 carrots, chopped fine
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can no-salt-added stewed tomatoes
1 tsp. thyme
8 oz. 96% fat-free smoked ham, cut into 1/2 inch dice
pepper
1 lb. dried Great Northern white or navy beans, soaked and drained
1/2 c. seasoned oat-bran crumbs

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0.
In a flameproof casserole, heat olive oil.
When hot, add garlic, onion and carrots; saute for 3 to 4 minutes.
Add tomatoes, thyme and ham; saute for a minute more; season to taste with pepper.
Stir in beans and add just enough water to cover the beans.
Bring liquid to a boil; cut back to a simmer.
Cover and place in oven.
Bake for 1 1/2 hours.
Uncover casserole; sprinkle with crumbs and bake for 30 minutes to an hour more or until beans have absorbed liquid and top is somewhat crusty.