Submitted by Susan
Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef
2 envelopes taco seasoning
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1/4 cup butter, melted
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS (for each casserole):
1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1-1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
3 green onions, chopped
Directions:
In a Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add
taco seasoning; prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese;
cook and stir for 5-10 minutes or until melted. Transfer to a bowl; chill
for 1 hour.
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Gently toss with butter.
Fill each shell with about 3 tablespoons of meat mixture. Place 12 shells
in a freezer container. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.
To prepare remaining shells, spoon salsa into a greased 9-in. square baking
dish. Top with stuffed shells and taco sauce. Cover and bake at 350° for
30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheeses and chips. Bake 15 minutes
longer or until heated through. Serve with sour cream and onions.
To use frozen shells: Thaw in the refrigerator for
24 hours (shells will be partially frozen). Spoon salsa into a greased
9-in. square baking dish; top with shells and taco sauce. Cover and bake
at 350° for 40 minutes. Uncover and continue as above.
Yield: 2 casseroles (6 servings each).
