Super-Sized 7 Layer Casserole (Rachael Ray)

• 1 package corn tortillas or any color corn chip
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or cooking spray
• 1 box elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon EVOO
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, grated
• 4 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon coriander
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 c. beef stock
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2-1/2 c. milk
• 1 can chopped tomatoes with chilies, drained
• 3 cups shredded yellow cheddar cheese, divided
• 2 cans refried beans
• 5-6 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• salt
• 2 limes, zest of 1 and juice of 2
• 2 avocados
• juice of 1 lemon
• hot sauce to taste
• 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1 bunch of scallions, chopped

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

If using corn tortillas, cut them into thin strips about 1/2 inch thick, and place them onto a baking sheet.  Toss them with some vegetable oil or spray with cooking spray and season them with salt and pepper.  Pop them into the oven and cook until crispy and golden, about 15 minutes.

Bring a large pot of water up to a boil over high heat.  Salt the water then add the noodles and cook to package instructions.

Place a large skillet over medium high heat with a tablespoon EVOO.  Brown the meat, then add in the onion, 4 cloves grated garlic and 2 jalapenos, and cook until tender.

Season the meat and veggies with chili powder, coriander, cumin and tomato paste.  Let the meat mixture cook for a minute or two with the spices, then add the beef stock and let that cook down for about 4-5 minutes.  Reserve.

While the meat is cooking, make the cheese sauce:  In a saucepot over medium heat, mel teh butter.  Add the flour and give it a stir to combine with the butter.  Cook for a minute or so then whisk in the milk.  Cook until thickened.

Drain the can of tomatoes with chilies and add them to the thickened milk mixture.  Fold in 2-1/2 cups cheese and the reserved noodles.  Season with salt and pepper, and reserve.

In another saucepot, heat up the can of refried beans with a little bit of water.

To build the casserole, spread the beef mixture out in the bottom of a casserole dish.  Top with the refried beans and finish it off with the mac and cheese and the remaining cheese.  Pop the casserole into the oven and back until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.

While the casserole is baking, make the salsa; mix the plum tomatoes, remaining jalapeno peppers, red onion and cilantro in a small bowl.  Season with salt, lime zest and juice, and reserve.

For the guacamole sour cream, scoop the flesh of the avocados into the bowl of a food processor and add the sour cream, lemon juice, remaining 2 cloves grated garlic and hot sauce.  Process until creamy.

Once the casserole comes out of the oven, top it with crispy corn strips and shredded iceberg lettuce.  Top with the salsa, then the guacamole sour cream, and scallions.