Recipe: Sloppy Stacked Enchiladas

SLOPPY STACKED ENCHILADAS

"This hearty one-dish meal isn't really messy - it gets its name from the sloppy joes that even adults crave now and then. The exact number of tortillas and layers you use in this recipe depends on the size and shape of the baking dish you use."

1 (15 ounce) can sloppy Joe sauce
About 12 corn tortillas
1 lb. ground beef
1 (16 ounce) can low-fat refried beans
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Open can of sloppy Joe sauce. Pour about 1/2 cup into a bowl.

Soften two or three tortillas in the microwave. Dip both sides of the tortillas into the sloppy Joe mix. Set these tortillas aside. These tortillas will be the top layer of the casserole.

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet; drain off fat. Add sloppy Joe mix, including any left in the bowl, to the meat and simmer a few minutes.

Grease the bottom of a casserole dish. A square 8-by-8-inch or round 9-inch dish works best. Layer two or three tortillas in the bottom, tearing off pieces to fill any gaps. Don't worry if some overlap.

Spoon about one-third of the meat mixture over the tortillas. Top with another layer of tortillas. Spread about half of the refried beans over the tortillas (the beans will be easier to spread if heated in the microwave first) and top with 1/3 cup cheese.

Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the tortillas that were dipped in the sloppy Joe mix and the remaining 1/3 cup cheese.

Bake in a 350-degree F oven about 30 minutes or until filling is bubbly.

Source: Joe Stumpe in The Providence Journal, June 6, 2007