Time to gather everyone together to discuss the latest trendy novel! But of course, literature is only half the reason we all go to our book clubs… the other reason is to snack with our friends! This Book Club Bake is designed to be shared and to be loved by everyone! Featuring a homemade, zesty taco seasoning, there are layers of goodness to unpack here; savory taco meat, crispy tater tots, spicy enchilada sauce, and melty cheese! Book Club Bake can be topped to your liking, too; a fitting ending to a novel of flavors!
Ingredients
For the taco seasoning mix:
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons ancho chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the casserole:
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 cup onion, minced
- 1 poblano pepper, diced
- kosher salt, to taste
- fresh pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup beef stock or broth
- 2/3 cup red enchilada sauce
- 2 cups Cheddar-Jack cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 (28-32-ounce) package frozen tater tots
Optional toppings:
- avocado, to taste, sliced or diced
- radishes, to taste, sliced or diced
- red chile peppers, to taste, sliced or diced
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –In a small bowl, add the smoked paprika, the ancho chili powder, the cumin, the chili powder, the thyme, the coriander, and the cayenne and mix well to combine.
Step 3 –In a large nonstick pan just below medium-high heat, heat the avocado oil.
Step 4 –Add the onions, the poblano peppers, the salt, and the pepper and cook until the onions have softened and are lightly golden, about 7 minutes.
Step 5 –Add the garlic and cook, while stirring, until very fragrant and lightly golden, about 3 minutes.
Step 6 –Add the ground beef and the salt to the onion mixture and increase the heat to medium-high.
Step 7 –Cook the beef, while crumbling the meat, until the beef is about halfway browned, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 8 –Add 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning mix and cook, while stirring well, until the beef is no longer pink, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 9 –Add the beef stock and the enchilada sauce to the beef mixture and bring it to a simmer.
Step 10 –Cook the beef mixture until it has thickened and is not runny, about 10 minutes.
Step 11 –Taste the beef mixture for seasoning and add the salt and the pepper, as needed.
Step 12 –In an 8×10-inch baking dish, add the beef mixture.
Step 13 –Top the beef mixture with 1 1/2 cups of the cheese.
Step 14 –Place the tater tots in an even layer on top of the cheese layer, pushing them down about halfway into the casserole.
Step 15 –Bake the casserole for 30 minutes.
Step 16 –Add the remaining 1/2 cup of the cheese over top and bake until melted and bubbly, about 7-10 minutes.
Step 17 –Allow the bake to cool for 20 minutes.
Step 18 –Serve the bake topped with the avocado, the radishes, and the red chile peppers.
