Burger Casserole

• 3 lb. ground beef
• 1 onion
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 c. cooked rice
• 2 small cans green chili peppers (mild)
• 1 medium jar picante sauce (mild)
• 1 large can tomato paste
• grated cheese
• tortilla chips
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, chopped fine
• 2 carrots, chopped fine
• 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can no-salt-added stewed tomatoes
• 1 tsp. thyme
• 8 oz. 96% fat-free smoked ham, cut into 1/2 inch dice
• pepper
• 1 lb. dried Great Northern white or navy beans, soaked and drained
• 1/2 c. seasoned oat-bran crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 350u0b0.
2. In a flameproof casserole, heat olive oil.
3. When hot, add garlic, onion and carrots; saute for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes, thyme and ham; saute for a minute more; season to taste with pepper.
5. Stir in beans and add just enough water to cover the beans.
6. Bring liquid to a boil; cut back to a simmer.
7. Cover and place in oven.
8. Bake for 1 1/2 hours.
9. Uncover casserole; sprinkle with crumbs and bake for 30 minutes to an hour more or until beans have absorbed liquid and top is somewhat crusty.

ground beef, onion, salt, rice, green chili peppers, picante sauce, tomato paste, grated cheese, tortilla chips, olive oil, garlic, onion, carrots, salt, thyme, ham, pepper, dried great northern white, bran crumbs

Taken from www.cookbooks.com/Recipe-Details.aspx?id=290912 (may not work)