Chipotle-Spiced Oven Tacos with Black Beans and Pepper Jack

Chipotle-Spiced Oven Tacos with Black Beans and Pepper Jack
Inspired by a recipe from Mommy I’m Hungry
Serves 10-12

Ingredients for Taco Seasoning:
1 Tablespoon chili powder – stock
¼-teaspoon onion powder – stock
¼-teaspoon dried oregano – stock
½-teaspoon paprika – stock
1½ teaspoons ground cumin – stock
1 teaspoon kosher salt – stock
1 teaspoon black pepper – stock

Ingredients for Tacos:
1 small yellow onion, diced finely – $1.19
1 clove of garlic, minced – stock
2 teaspoons olive oil – stock
2½ lbs ground turkey, crumbled – $7.47
¼-lb sweet Italian-style chicken sausage, casing removed, crumbled – $1.49
Half of a chipotle pepper in adobo, seeded + 1 Tablespoon of adobo sauce – $1.99
8-oz can of tomato sauce – $0.69
15-oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed – $0.99
2 cups shredded pepper-jack cheese – $2.99
18-20 hard taco shells – $4.00
Grand total assuming well-stocked kitchen: $20.81
Cost per taco: $1.04

Optional toppings
Sliced cherry tomatoes
Pineapple chunks
Chopped cilantro
Avocado slices

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together all components of the taco seasoning and set aside.

2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, saute the onions and garlic for 10-12 minutes, until onions soften and start to caramelize. Stir frequently to prevent burning.

3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

4. Add the meat to the skillet, crumbling it as you stir and incorporating with the onions/garlic. Brown and cook through. Add chipotle pepper, adobo, black beans, tomato sauce and homemade taco seasoning. Mix well and cook until sauce thickens. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust saltiness, as desired.

5. Arrange the taco shells in two 9×13 baking dishes, standing up. Spoon the meat into the shells and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until cheese has melted and is starting to bubble.

6. Garnish with your favorite toppings (I recommend cilantro, tomatoes, avocado and pineapple).