Baseball Dish Has Its Innings : Beefy Casserole Scores With Fans in Front of the TV Set

The World Series builds healthy appetites as armchair fans watch their favorite teams vie for the title of world champion. Beefy Baseball Casserole is perfect to serve in front of the television during the games. It can be assembled and refrigerated a day ahead.

On game day, bake the casserole during the first several innings. Serve it piping hot with crisp tortilla chips and a tall, cool beverage. Pass around bowls of sour cream, green onions and olives for spectators to sprinkle on top as they desire.

BEEFY BASEBALL CASSEROLE

3 pounds lean ground beef

1 pound beef chorizo, optional

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 green pepper, finely chopped

2 (16-ounce) cans tomato sauce

1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles

1 (3-ounce) jar pimiento-stuffed olives, chopped

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 cup seedless raisins

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 pints ricotta cheese

2 eggs

12 corn tortillas

1 pound Jack cheese, thinly sliced

Sour cream

Chopped green onions

Cilantro

Chopped green olives

Saute beef and chorizo until browned. Stir in garlic, onion and green pepper. Cook until vegetables are tender. Stir in tomato sauce, chiles, olives, cilantro, raisins, salt and pepper. Beat ricotta and eggs until smooth. Set aside.

Cover bottom of 4-quart casserole with 4 tortillas. Cover tortillas with 1/3 of beef mixture. Arrange 1/3 cheese slices over beef mixture. Spread 1/2 ricotta mixture over cheese slices. Repeat layering until all ingredients are used, ending with beef mixture topped with slices of cheese.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees 30 to 45 minutes or until very hot. If desired, serve with sour cream, chopped green onions, cilantro and chopped green olives. Makes 12 servings.