Mexican Meat and Potatoes

Some of the best inventions come out of necessity, and the same is said for food recipes. It can be because you only have a little bit of funds $$ to stretch and create a meal, or certain products are on sale or in season, or sometimes you don't have any funds to go by a meal so you make what you have on hand.

This thought process got my mind wandering and made me think of what staples do I always have on hand, I tend to buy my chicken and ground meat in bulk so there is always a few pounds of those available, and I always have canned goods like tomato sauce, cream of mushroom/chicken, rotel, and produce wise I always have russet potatoes, and yellow onions and dairy wise I always have some type of cheese (typically cheddar or Colby jack), and milk and eggs.

I wanted to create a really flavorful dish only using the cheapest of ingredients and using what I always have on hand. Growing up my mom did this meal she just called meat and potatoes, and while I don't remember the specifics of it but it was ground meat, cubed potatoes, and canned corn or green beans, mixed together so I decided what if I made Meat and Potatoes but with some spice and thus Mexican Meat and Potatoes was born and the Man and the Teen loved it ( Little one doesn't eat ground beef) and it is consistently requested and I love that it really requires minimal effort.

Hope you and those you serve this too enjoy it, be sure to take pictures and as always

Remember to Wash Your Hands, Be Kind and Make Good Choices

Mexican Meat and Potatoes

1lbs Ground Beef

1 Can Drained rotel

1lbs diced potatoes (Small like home fries)

3 tbs Fiesta Brand Picadillo Ole' Seasoning (sub with Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Beef Bouillon)

2tbs Fiesta Brand Taco Seasoning (Sub with any brand taco seasoning)

2tbs Cajun Seasoning

2 cups shredded cheese

2tbs Olive Oil/Vegetable Oil

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Optional- Diced Onion and Bell Pepper

Directions-

1. Preheat your Oven to 350 Degrees- Using your cast iron skillet first warm the skillet, once the skillet is warm, add your oil and allow oil to heat fully

2. While your pan and oil are heating take your diced potatoes and season with Cajun Seasoning, salt and Pepper and place in your deep fryer for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown and set aside.

3. Add your optional onion and bell pepper to the pan to soften and then add your ground meat to the cast iron and brown, drain majority of your grease

4. Once your ground meat is drained, add your picadillo and taco seasonings stir until all the meat is thoroughly seasoned and remove from heat

5. Add your drained can of Rotel and stir

6. Take your fried potatoes and stir into the skillet, top with shredded cheese

7. Bake in Oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted

Serve in a tortilla or on a chalupa, or serve it as is with rice and beans, Enjoy!