Recipe: Taco Lasagna for Lisa (Skyline Chili Lasagna)

TACO LASAGNA

8 oz. (about 9 pieces) rippled edge lasagna
3/4 lb. lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 3/4 cups (16 oz.) jar mild or hot taco sauce (use Skyline Chili as a sauce)
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. basil
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. chili powder
2 cups chopped lettuce
1 cup chopped tomato
3 cups (12 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese

Cook lasagna according to package directions for 10 minutes; drain. Separate lasagna and lay flat on wax paper or aluminum foil to keep pieces from sticking together as they cool.

Brown beef, onion and green pepper in 10 inch non-stick skillet; drain off excess fat. Stir in taco sauce, water, salt, pepper, basil and chili powder; simmer 5 minutes.

Pour 1/2 cup meat sauce on bottom of 13x9x2 inch baking pan; arrange 3 pieces of lasagna lengthwise over meat sauce. Pour 1 cup sauce over noodles; sprinkle 1 cup lettuce, 1/2 cup tomato and 1 cup cheese in layers over sauce. Repeat layer of lasagna, 1 cup meat sauce, 1 cup lettuce, 1/2 cup tomato, 1 cup cheese.

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CINCINNATI SKYLINE CHILI
Note: End result should have consistency of spaghetti sauce.
Servings: 4

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 pinch cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound uncooked spaghetti
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup kidney beans
1/2 cup olives
1/4 cup chopped onion

Brown beef and onion in a large skillet over medium high heat. Place browned mixture in a large pot and stir in the tomato sauce, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, cinnamon, vinegar, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, over low heat for 1 1/2 hours.

When meat mixture has about 20 minutes cooking time left, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and set aside.

Serve meat mixture over cooked spaghetti topped with cheese, beans, olives and chopped onion.