Meatless Tortilla Casserole

[SVZ]

Meatless tortilla casserole
Flour tortillas layered and baked with sour cream, roasted red peppers and kidney beans make a yummy meal. You won't even miss the meat!

Nutrients per serving
25.5 g protein
28 g fat
61.1 g carbohydrates
13.8 g fibre
4.9 mg iron
455 mg calcium
589 calories
1,601 mg sodium
Preparation time 20 minutes
Baking Time 35 minutes
Makes 6 servings

2 (19 oz) (540 mL) cans red kidney beans or black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups (500 mL) sour cream
340 g jar roasted red peppers, drained well, thickly sliced
5 green onions, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small chipotle chili in adobo sauce, finely chopped, or 2 tbsp (30 mL) finely chopped pickled jalapeño peppers
½ tsp (2 mL) each paprika, ground cumin and salt
1 cup (750 mL) chopped fresh coriander, or less if there is coriander in salsa
2 cups (500 mL) grated cheddar
vegetable oil
8 to 10 small flour or corn tortillas
2 cups (500 mL) salsa

1. Preheat oven to 350F (180C). In a large bowl, stir beans with sour cream, red peppers, onions, garlic, chipotle, paprika, cumin and salt. Then stir in 1 cup (250 mL) each coriander and cheese until evenly mixed. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch (3-L) baking dish with oil. Completely cover bottom with a single layer of tortillas. Try not to overlap too much. If necessary, use scissors to cut to fit.

2. Spread one-third of sour cream mixture over tortillas. Spoon ⅔ cup (150 mL) salsa overtop. Repeat layering 2 more times. Finish with 1 cup (250 mL) cheese.

3. Bake, uncovered, in centre of preheated oven until casserole is bubbly and cheese is melted, 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup (125 mL) coriander. Best eaten the same day it's made, but leftovers will keep well, covered and refrigerated, overnight. Reheat in microwave on medium.
• Make Ahead Prepare casserole, but don't bake. Cover and refrigerate up to 1 day. Bake cold casserole, tightly covered with foil, in centre of preheated 350F (180C) oven, 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbly and cheese is melted, 30 more minutes.

First published in Chatelaine's 02/2006 issue. © Rogers Media Publishing Inc.

[pacific breeze]

I think I'll make this, but I'll use corn tortillas instead. They're tastier.

[LynnieD]

There are fantastic recipes out there for meatless lasagnas as well---in fact I just tried one recently for a Nacho Lasagna. No meat, black beans/corn/tomatoes w/noodles and cheeses on top. It was great!!

[pacific breeze]

I've made about two dozen kinds of meatless lasagne since I've lived with a vegetarian. All good. The Low-Cal one I posted a while ago was one of the best and tastiest yet.

I can't wait to try this one.

[LynnieD]

^^^I'm a 'semi vegetarian', though was a strict one for about a decade back in the day. I still drift back into that way of eating often, as I truly find it just tastes better. Like you said Pacific, there are lots of variations of almost all meat dishes that you can make--meatless!
I have a serious love for black beans/kidney beans/tofu etc. But the meatless 'meat' you can buy is pretty cool too!
Had 'Tofurkey' for Thanksgiving last year and it wasn't bad! Fun to try new things!
The recipe SVZ posted looks awesome!!

[pacific breeze]

I've never been a complete vegetarian but I am getting closer. I usually eat meat when we dine out, or when I go to friend's houses. But I truly think some dishes taste better without meat -- veggie chili for one.

I use a lot of ground tofu. I make a killer shepherd's pie with it. Not sure about Tofurkey tho!

[LynnieD]

Yea, the Tofurkey was a tough one even for me......I didn't make it, someone brought it to the big family dinner. I'd rather just eat the veggies you know?

[SVZ]

Tofurkey is.........

ok if you're eating it because you don't want to eat meat, fine. but if you're eating it for health reasons...sorry you're better sticking to veggies and real tofu - processed stuff is crap no matter how you put it, doesn't matter what it starts off as either

[pacific breeze]

Just read this. Will post it later on today.

[pinklilycat]

I made this last night and it was LUSH! Even my boyfriend loved it (v fussy eater!)!
Thanks for the recipie xxxx