Italian Tacos

For dinner yesterday we had Italian Tacos. I found this recipe when I was pregnant 8 years ago and its been a favorite since then. It only takes 15-20 to make, 30 to bake and is super yummy and kids LOVE it! What more could we ask for right?

Start with boiling half a box of jumbo shells (approx 18 shells)

Then brown a pound of hamburger and drain.

You will need cream cheese, chili powder and taco sauce (in a minute ;)

Once the hamburger is cooked and drained, add salt, chili powder and half a brick of cream cheese. Stir it in until melted through.

Drain your noodles and rinse them to be cool enough for you to handle. Before I had a child with allergies, I would toss the shells in a little butter. This makes them even yummier if you wanna add this step.

Spread a few tablespoons of the taco sauce on the bottom of a 13x9 pan

Then fill each shell with the meat mixture

Pour the rest of the jar of taco sauce over top and then add crushed tortilla chips. I use mild taco sauce because of my kids, but if your fam can take the heat, try it with medium or hot! Also, I have to add cheese after they are cooked so my youngest's don't get coated, but again, previously I would have sprinkled the cheese on before baking. Now I sprinkle it on when we serve em and it works just as well!

This is the end result...I served them with rice, lemon baby broccoli and a salad made with snap peas, craisins and raspberry viniagrette! I am adding this info because sometimes I get a great main dish and have no idea what to serve with it. Lemme know if knowing the full meal interests you or if just the main dish is enough...I am open to suggestions!

I hope you like em! They are so yummy even my oldest will eat them and her diet consists of cereal, bread and rice...so ya know its good!

Italian Tacos

1 lb hamburger

1 tsp salt

18 jumbo shells; cooked

1 C taco sauce

1 1/2 C crushed tortilla chips

4 oz soft cream cheese

1 tsp chili powder

2 tsp melted butter (optional)

2 C shredded cheddar

1 C sour cream

Preheat to 350. Brown meat; drain; add cream cheese, salt and chili powder. Simmer 10 mins. Toss shells in butter if desired. Fill with meat. Lay in 13x9 with 2 tbs taco sauce spread on bottom of dish. Pour taco sauce over filled shells. Cover with foil and bake 15 mins. Uncover and top with cheese and chips. Bake 15 mins more. Serve with sour cream, green onions, olives or condiments of choice!

Happy Cooking!

Amanda