Southwest cheesecake

8 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1½cupTortilla chips, finely
Crushed
1poundsGround beef
16ouncesCream cheese
2Eggs
2cupsCheddar cheese, shredded
1canRefried beans
4ouncesGreen chilies, chopped
1½cupSour cream
Green onions, chopped
Tomatoes, chopped
Red pepper, chopped
⅓cupButter, melted
1tablespoonChili powder
1tablespoonDried onion
1tablespoonCilantro, chopped
½teaspoonOregano
1teaspoonGarlic, chopped
Black olives, chopped
Jalapeno, chopped, optional
Salsa

Directions

CRUST

FILLING

TOPPING

Crust: Heat oven to 325F. Stir 1½ cups finely crushed tortilla chips into 5 tbsp. melted butter. Press into bottom of 9-inch spring form pan and bake for 15 minutes.

Filling: Beat with mixer, 2 - 8 oz. pkgs of cream cheese, 2 eggs and seasonings. Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 - 4 oz. can chopped green chilies, drained. Brown 1 lb. ground beef, drain. Mix with 1 can refried beans. Spread cream cheese mixture over baked crust. Spread ground beef mixture over cream cheese layer. Place pan back in oven for 30 minutes.

Topping: Spread sour cream over baked cheesecake and refrigerate 3 hours. Top with chopped green onions, tomoatoes, red or yellow bell peppers, black olives, jalapeno peppers, optional and salsa. Unmold and serve.