Easy Enchilada Casserole

This casserole is especially easy if you have your veggies chopped and sauce made ahead of time.  It has been a family favorite for a long time.  But it had been quite a while since I made it.  We made it last week and I was regretting I didn't make two because we liked it so much and it freezes so well.

Easy Enchilada Casserole

1 cup uncooked brown rice

18 small soft corn tortillas

1 Tablespoon Olive or Coconut oil

1 clove garlic

1 large yellow onion (or favorite)

1 or 2 bell peppers (favorite colors)

1 small yellow squash or zucchini (optional)

1 cup frozen corn

1 to 2 cans (15 oz. Each) petite diced tomatoes (do not drain)

2 cups favorite cooked beans, drained (we like pinto or black)

1 teaspoon cumin

2 teaspoons favorite Mexican seasoning

1 large can favorite enchilada sauce (I make the sauce from The Very Best Veggie Enchiladas)
2 teaspoons Real Salt or to taste 

1 can black olives sliced

green onions or chives chopped

For Filling: Cook rice according to package directions 30 minutes before starting anything else.(Brown rice usually takes about 35-40 min. to cook) While rice is finishing cooking, saute the olive oil, garlic and vegetables, chopped - in a very large frying pan until the corn is heated and the fresh veggies are crisp tender. Add the cooked rice, beans, seasoning and 1 or 2 cans of tomatoes depending on how dry it is. You don’t want it too wet but you want it moist. Warm just until heated.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large casserole pan or two small cake pans (you will need more tortillas if you make two small ones) spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of pan line six tortillas in the bottom of pan spread a thin layer of sauce then place half the filling in then six more tortillas more sauce, the rest of the filling, six more tortillas, the rest of sauce (just like you would a lasagna) top with olives and green onions. Cover and bake for twenty minutes or until warmed all the way through and edges bubbly. Top each serving with salsa, guacamole and/or Cheezy Sauce.