Simply The Best Tex Mex Casserole - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 lb ground chicken breast or 1 lb ground beef
1 (20 ounce) package shredded hash brown potatoes (Simply Potatoes brand Southwestern flavor preferred)
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
1 (14 ounce) can stewed tomatoes or (14 ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn kernels
salt
2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese or 2 1/2 cups monterey jack pepper cheese, shredded
2 green onions, finely chopped

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
TO COOK THE FILLING: Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat.
Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil - twice around the pan.
Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin, red pepper and red onion.
Brown the meat, 5 minutes.
Add taco sauce or stewed or fire roasted tomatoes.
Add black beans and corn.
Heat the mixture through, 2 to 3 minutes then season with salt, to your taste.
In a separate frying pan cook hash browns according to direction on package. This can be done while you are frying up the meat.
Assemble Casserole: Spray a 9x13 pan with non stick stray.
Layer half the cooked hash browns in the pan.
Build casserole in layers of filling, 1/2 cheese and the rest of the hash browns, then cheese.
Bake casserole 15 minutes until cheese is brown and bubbly.
Top with the scallions.
*NOTE* You can serve with salsa, sour cream and sliced avocado on the side as additional toppings.