Holly's Tex-Mex Casserole with Cream of Wheat- 25 minutes

~See my comments at the bottom

1/2 lb ground meat (beef, turkey)
1.5 cups black beans (I used one can drained and thoroughly rinsed)
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic
1/2 cup Cream of Wheat (1-minute, 2.5 minute, or 10 minute cook time)-(I used 1 minute)
1 can chopped chilies, undrained
1 can of low sodium diced tomatoes
2 eggs
1 handful of spinach (optional)
3/4 cup cheddar cheese (cone #1)

First mix Cream of wheat with chilies, diced tomatoes and 2 eggs
Brown meat on electric skillet on 350 degrees (drain excess fat)
Add beans (rinsed)
Mix in garlic and chili powder then lay even on the bottom
Spread Cream of Wheat mixture on top
Spread spinach on top
Sprinkle cheese all over
Cover. Wait for click. Set at 150 degree for 20 minutes.


Makes 6 servings.
260 calories, 10g fat, 5g saturated fat.
*If you use extra lean beef (or de-fat it in the 3 qt with culinary basket) and use reduced fat cheese you save 20 calories per serving.


~I think that crushed tomatoes or smaller diced tomatoes would have been better, because the tomatoes took over the taste of the casserole when I ate the larger pieces. I also think that 2 packets of Cream of Wheat would have been better. I also only used one egg when I made it, and that worked out. I tend to use less cheese then what is recommended. I think that halving the cheese would be good. It was a bit salty in my opinion. The spinach was something I added to the original recipe cause it was in my fridge. It was a GREAT addition.