Tasty Mexican Casserole

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped red/green bell pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jalape�o pepper, minced (optional)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb. leanest ground beef
• 48 baked tortilla chips
• Cooking spray
• 2 cups white rice, cooked
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
• salsa
• Serves 6

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375�.
2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell peppers to pan; cook 4 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and jalape�o (if you want more heat); cook 1 minute. Add ground beef and break up into crumbs � until nicely browned. Stir in chili powder, cumin, black pepper; cook 3 minutes. Arrange half of tortilla chips in an 9 x 9 �inch (or 11 X 7 inch) baking dish coated with cooking spray; top evenly with ground beef mixture.
3. Mix rice with cilantro, lime juice and salt.
4. Layer rice mixture on top of the beef mixture, then top with the tomatoes and chiles. Top with remaining tortilla chips, pressing to slightly crush. Sprinkle evenly with cheese.
5. Bake at 375� for 13 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Cut casserole into 6 equal pieces; top each serving with 1 teaspoon sour cream, 1 teaspoon onions, and 2 teaspoons olives. Serve with salsa.