Summertime Haystacks

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 cup crushed saltine crackers, about 20 crackers
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef, browned and drained
• 3/4 cup tomato juice
• 1/4 cup water, plus
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
• salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 lb velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 5 ounces jars sliced stuffed olives

Recipe

• 1 put crushed saltines in bottom of 9"x13" ungreased baking dish.
• 2 prepare lettuce, tomatoes and onion and set aside.
• 3 layer rice on top of cracker crumbs.
• 4 brown and drain ground beef.
• 5 add tomato juice, water, taco seasoning mix, and salt and pepper to taste.
• 6 simmer 15-20 minutes to allow some of the liquid to absorb.
• 7 in a heavy saucepan, melt margarine, stir in flour and blend until smooth.
• 8 gradually stir in milk.
• 9 bring to boil, cook and stir for two minutes.
• 10 reduce heat, add velveeta cheese cubes and stir until melted.
• 11 assemble dish by layering beef on top of rice.
• 12 top with prepared lettuce, tomato and onions.
• 13 pour cheese sauce over top.
• 14 top with shredded cheddar cheese and garnish with the sliced stuffed olives.
• 15 note: cooking time refers to time for making cheese sauce and browning meat.