Taco Casserole

Do you love tacos but think you can’t have them because you’re trying to watch carbs? Or are you just looking for a way to get more tacos into your life? Well, if that’s the case, here’s a delicious and easy taco casserole!

I’ve been a little obsessed with cauliflower casseroles lately – JP actually told me yesterday that I have to make something without cauliflower, but then he said, “but not this, this is really good”.  Don’t be scared off by the amount of seasoning – the cauliflower and dairy kind of overwhelms it, and if you use less, you’ll lose that “taco” taste.

And a quick story about tacos and cheese: I recently met some college friends of a friend of mine who passed last year, and they started sharing stories about him. One of them said that when they had tacos in the dining hall, my friend would get the taco shell, put the cheese in, and then put the meat on top, because isn’t the point of the cheese to melt, and wouldn’t it melt better with the hot meat on top of the cheese instead of the other way around? Everyone was laughing and I was thinking, “wow, that is a brilliant idea”. So although I say the cheese on top is optional, I’d recommend it (but I personally think most things are better with more cheese, especially if it’s melted)! I mean, just look at all that cheesy goodness on the plate!

Taco Casserole

1 lb ground beef (you can use ground turkey if you prefer)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
12 oz. cauliflower (I use the kind that comes frozen and steams in its bag)
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar, plus 1/2 cup shredded cheddar for top (if desired)

Brown ground beef in skillet with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt and pepper. While the ground beef is browning, steam cauliflower as directed on bag less 30 seconds (if you prefer fresh cauliflower, steam until just tender). Put cauliflower in microwave and oven safe casserole dish and add cream cheese. Microwave cauliflower and cream cheese for 30 seconds and mix well. Add cooked and drained ground beef, salsa, sour cream, and one cup cheddar cheese.

If desired, top with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.