Recipe: Taco Casserole

ground beef

(Optional cup of rice, if I want to stretch the ground beef)

small onion, finely chopped

garlic powder

envelope of taco seasoning or make some  easy homemade taco seasoning

tomato sauce

sour cream (light sour cream works perfectly)

cottage cheese (I have made this with all cottage cheese in a pinch, when I was missing sour cream or vice versa)

crushed tortilla chips (this is how I use up our crushed stale remnants in the pantry)

grated Monterey Jack cheese (or whatever cheese you have on hand)

(Variations: I have added minced garlic, chopped peppers, tomatoes, and various shredded garden veggies to make it a really healthy option, along with the addition of black beans.)