Welcome to week two of the great american beef off!  Well, not really but it is week two of my using beef in a fabulous recipe and telling you all about it!

As you may remember from week 1, where I made Entertaining Appetizers, nine other bloggers and I are working to show you how to incorporate beef into healthier, tastier recipes!

This week was FABULOUS!  I was given three recipes to choose from – not an easy task by any means – and finally, after asking the family and closing my eyes and pointing, chose the Southwest Breakfast Casserole.  Now, I have to admit, when I started reading the ingredients – 2 cups of half and half, 4 cups of cheese – I thought that this might be way too rich and cheesy.

I could not have been more wrong!  And this could not have been easier to make!

Here is the recipe:

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Southwest Breakfast Casserole

by Texas Beef Council

Ingredients

  • 6 slices white bread, crust removed
  • 1 lb. beef sausage
  • 4 cups Colby/Montery Jack cheese
  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cans chopped green chilis
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • bottled picante sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, softened

Instructions

Lightly butter both side of bread slices and place in 9×13-inch baking dish.

In nonstick skillet, over medium-high heat,brown beef sausage; drain well and pat with paper towels. Sprinkle sausage over bread slices.

Sprinkle cheese over sausage. Follow with a layer of chopped green chilis.

In medium bowl, beat eggs lightly. Add salt, dry mustard and half-and-half. Mix thoroughly. Pour over casserole.

Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

To bake, preheat oven to 350°F and bake casserole 45 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned. Allow to stand 15 minutes to set. Cut into squares and serve with picante sauce on the side.

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A few tips:  I could not find ground beef sausage so I used a beef sausage link!  We actually loved it but wish we’d used 2 links instead of one to get more of a meaty texture!  So start with one, but maybe add another 1/2 a link and see what you think.  We love beef around here!  

Make sure you remember to make this the night before!  I cooked one right away – I forgot about the refrigeration – and then made another and stored it overnight!  Though both were delicious, the flavor in the second one was more layered and delicious!

I LOVED this dish – had two helpings each time, thank you very much! – and my husband did too!  The green chili’s give it a little kick but the cheese and cream work together to bond the flavors into a rich, creamy, delicious dish!  I could taste the sausage and juices were sealed in and – oh – just GOOD!  I HIGHLY recommend it for great flavor, ease of making and a crowd pleaser!

See the entire process below:

But the really great thing is that we had our neighbors over for a football this evening, usually a pizza thing, right?  I thought I’d change it up, though, so I pulled out the Southwest Breakfast Casserole and heated it up.  And then I grinned happily as they raved and complimented the chef… on both of their helpings!

Put this recipe on your holiday meal list!  Make it ahead of time and watch your guests eat it up while you soak up the compliments!

Come back next week when I make a Holiday Roast!  YUUM!

And MARK YOU CALENDARS for THIS TUESDAY!

Come join the fun at the #TxBeef Holiday Menu Twitter Party, December 13, 2011 at 8pm to 9pm CST!  Follow @TexasHolly and RSVP to @TxBeef so that we know to expect you!  There will be nutrition information from a registered dietitian, great tips from Texas Beef Council Chefs and more!  Get expert help on planning your Holiday Menu and dazzle your guests with your perfect dishes!  PLUS, there will be prizes and giveaways!  Follow me@lomargie and receive my Tweets and Reminders about the party and these great recipes!

Check out the other participating blogger links – even if the recipe is the same as mine, the tips, photos and viewpoints are fun to read:

MomsToolbox.com: Easy Beef & Cheese Quiche
ScrewedUpTexan.com: Texas Style Breakfast Casserole
MyBakingHeart.com:  Southwest Breakfast Casserole
AClosetWriter.com:  Beef Sticky Buns
TheNerdsWife.com:  Southwest Breakfast Casserole
MealPlanningMagic.com:  Beef Sticky Buns
JuneCleaverNirvana.com:  Beef Sticky Buns

**I am a compensated blogger for a four week campaign with the Texas Beef Council.  All opinions, writings and photos are mine.  Recipes have been provided by the Texas Beef Council.**