Semi-Homemade

I was searching my cupboards, freezer and fridge this past week trying to think of something for dinner with what little we had on hand.  I've been trying to be really good lately about using what we already have and grocery shopping less.  

Isn't it amazing how much a trip to the store adds up?  And I always feel so bad when I waste food or have fresh food go bad.  So I've been trying to buy a lot of frozen and can goods to remedy this problem.

So here's what I came up with - Fiesta Green Chile Burrito Bake.  I remembered seeing a similar idea to this semi-homemade recipe in my Real Simple magazine several months ago.

Preheat oven 375 degrees. Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

Olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons flour

2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

Black pepper, to taste

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

8 oz. package shredded cheese

4 oz. chopped green chile

Frozen Family Pack Bean and Cheese burritos (I used El Monterey)

Chile powder - for garnish

Saute garlic in olive oil until soft.  Then add butter and flour (making a roux) - cook for 2-3 minutes.  Add 2 cups milk, salt, and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Once the mixture begins to thicken, add 6 oz. cheese and green chile.

Lay frozen burritos in a single layer in a 9 x 11 glass baking dish.  Pour cheesy green chile mixture on top of burritos.  Sprinkle 2 oz. cheese and chile powder on top.  

Bake for 45 mins. or until heated through.

Additional notes:  

1) Would be delish with sour cream and green onions on top.  Also great to serve with Uncle Ben's Ready Rice (Santa Fe Style) and tortilla chips.
2) I also added frozen tri-color bell peppers (from Trader Joe's) on top.

3) To make the dish even easier (I didn't have it on hand at the time) but you could forgo making the roux (butter, flour, garlic and olive oil) and adding the milk by just using a can of cream of chicken soup instead - thin with some water, then add cheese and green chile.