Chili Stacks

In preparation for Mother's Day, Ella wrote about me for a school project. Not all of her answers were true, but it was cute nevertheless. In it, she wrote "One day she made a creation with cheese on it -- it was so yummy." Although I was flattered that she thought something I made was yummy, I was curious as to what it was. I figured it out last night at dinner. Apparently, my mom's recipe for "Chili Stacks" is the "creation with cheese on it". Both of my girls love it. So, since this is an inexpensive and easy meal, I'm putting it in the rotation regularly. It's a yummy way to use ground beef. I've made slight changes to it from my mom's recipe, but that was more out of necessity than anything else...and the changes have stuck.

1/2 to 1 pound ground beef (depending on if you want it more saucy or more meaty)

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 cup chopped onions

1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes

1 to 2 Tablespoons tomato paste

5 corn tortillas

1 cup grated Jack or Cheddar cheese

1. In a large skillet, brown ground beef. Drain off the grease. 
   
2. Add salt, chili powder, oregano, basil, onions, tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer 10 minutes.
   
3. In a shallow baking dish, layer tortilla, meat sauce and cheese. Continue layers using all ingredients and end with sauce and cheese.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes until hot and the cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and serve.