NACHO CHEESE CASSEROLE

Nacho Cheese Casserole image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Time 1h15m

Yield 16 total servings (8 servings per pan)

Number Of Ingredients 21

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Ingredients

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
One 28-ounce can enchilada sauce
One 10-ounce can enchilada sauce
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking dishes
One 15-ounce bag nacho cheese-flavored chips, such as Doritos
2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded romaine
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sliced black olives
3 green onions, sliced

Steps:

For the sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the vegetable oil and flour. Cook, whisking, until it begins to bubble; let it bubble for 1 minute. Pour in the enchilada sauce, chicken broth, cumin and some salt and pepper. Raise the heat and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer while you prepare the meat.
For the meat: Brown the ground beef with the garlic and onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain the fat and stir in the cumin and salt to combine. Stir the meat into the simmering sauce and shut off the heat.
For the casserole: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease one 9-by-13-inch aluminum foil baking dish and one 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
Break up the chips by crushing the bag slightly with your hands. Make sure not to over crush the chips; you're looking for pieces, not crumbs. Mix together the cheeses in a medium bowl.
Divide a third of the broken chips between the prepared baking dishes. Top each with a quarter of the beef mixture and 2/3 cup of the cheese. Repeat, adding another layer of chips, beef mix and cheese to each. Finish by dividing the remaining chips between the baking dishes. Top each with 2/3 cup cheese.
Cover the glass baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until bubbly, another 15 to 20 minutes.
For the toppings: Top the cooked casserole with the shredded romaine, diced Roma tomatoes, sour cream and sliced black olives and green onions before serving.
Allow the aluminum foil baking dish to cool completely while the other is baking. Once cool, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Transfer to the freezer.
To bake from frozen, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Unwrap the baking dish and re-cover with foil. Bake, covered, for 35 to 40 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Top with another batch of the toppings.