Introducing a delightful twist on the classic nacho dish: the Chili Cheese Bake Casserole! This fun recipe marries the beloved flavors of nachos with the heartiness of a casserole, producing a dish that’s perfect for family gatherings, game days, or cozy evenings at home. This chili cheese bake can be adapted to include your favorite ingredients. Start with my award winning chili recipe, by sautéing one medium onion in a coat of cooking spray in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until it softens and takes on a touch of golden brown. Next, add 1 pound of your choice of ground turkey or turkey sausage, allowing it to cook until no longer pink. Once cooked, transfer the mixture to a Dutch oven or, for convenience, a crock pot. Here comes the star of the show—add a hefty 28-ounce can of RoTel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies (do not drain!), along with a mix of 15 ounces each of kidney beans and pinto beans. To enhance the dish, pour in 1 cup of fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth, then sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of chopped garlic, 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 1 tablespoon of oregano, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon of mustard powder to give it that signature flavor profile.
Bring your flavorful mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer under a lid for 20 minutes; if you’re using a crock pot, simply set it to low and let it work its magic until you’re ready to serve. Once the chili is bubbling and aromatic, it’s time to create the layers for your casserole. Start with a generous layer of your favorite tortilla chips at the bottom of a baking dish, followed by a scoop of that hearty chili concoction and a layer of 8 ounces of sliced Velveeta cheese. The gooey melted cheese will bring everything together beautifully. To enhance this chili cheese bake, repeat these delightful layers a second time for an extra cheesy and satisfying experience. Pop the casserole into a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbling at the edges.
After removing it from the oven, let your nacho casserole cool for a few moments before garnishing it with your favorite toppings—think dollops of sour cream, spicy jalapeños, fresh diced tomatoes, or even a sprinkle of green onions for a pleasant crunch. This dish is not only a feast for the eyes but also a wholesome meal that packs in protein and fiber, making it a nutritious twist on the indulgent nacho experience. The balance of flavors, the richness of the beans, and the spice from the RoTel make each bite a savory delight, leaving your taste buds dancing in joy. Perfect for sharing or enjoying solo, this nacho casserole will soon become a family favorite, satisfying everyone’s cravings while offering that satisfying comfort of a warm, cheesy dish. So whether you’re hosting a party or simply looking for a fun weeknight dinner, this chili cheese bake is sure to impress!
Chili Cheese Bake Recipe
Ingredients
Chili
- 1 onion medium
- 1 lb of turkey turkey sausage, hamburger (your choice of meat)
- 28 oz RoTel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies undrained
- 15 oz kidney beans
- 15 oz pinto beans
- 1 cup chicken broth fat-free, low sodium
- 2 tbsp garlic chopped
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp mustard powder
Casserole Fixings
- Bag of choice of tortilla chips
- 8 oz Velveeta sliced
Instructions
- Coat the frying pan with cooking spray and cook onions over medium-high heat until soft or just starting to brown.
- Add ground turkey and/or sausage and cook until no longer pink.
- Transfer into a Dutch oven or crock pot.
- Add RpTel Diced Tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, broth, garlic, chili powder, oregano, cumin, and mustard powder.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- If you are using a crock pot, you can just put it in and let it cook/simmer until you are ready to eat.
- Once the chili is ready, you can layer your casserole by placing a layer of tortilla chips, chili, and sliced Velveeta. Repeat all three for a second layer
- Cook at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted
- Garnish with toppings of choice such as sour cream, jalapenos, tomatoes, etc.
Nutrition
Nutrition information has been calculated using an autogenerating online calculation and is intended for informational purposes. For accurate nutritional information, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used.
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