Killer Carnivore Concoction? Say what? This recipe invention started out to be a fairly simple yet robust sausage and beef filling for quesadillas. By the time I was done I realized I had a Southwestern meat mixture that I’d end up using in a dozen or more recipes. It’s really that versatile …. particularly since it freezes very well. From now on, when I make this, I’ll prepare it in advance and freeze it in small containers (12 to 16 oz); I’ll move it to the fridge 24 hours before I’m planning to serve it in a dish. Then I can put it on quesadillas, pizzas, in burritos or enchiladas or whatever and just pop it in the oven maybe 15-30 minutes before serving at a party. Note that how much you want to make depends on what you use it for. Quesadillas and pizzas generally take less meat than burritos, enchiladas, and tacos.

I first made this for a big 3-day camping party in northern California, and I was serving about 50 people. This is soooo easy. I cooked up this meat mixture a few days in advance. Then I used my quesadilla makers and I just cranked them out. It took me about 30 seconds to assemble each quesadilla, and then they cook for about 5 minutes … until they are lightly browned and cheese is all melted. Most people grabbed about 1/4 to 1/2 quesadilla and gave it rave reviews.

I made a quadruple batch and a single or double batch would have been fine. I have enough packed up in my freezer now for several more parties. You just can’t put as much meat in a quesadilla as you might expect. But as I mentioned, this is really versatile … the next dish I’m planning to make with it is Game Day Pizza. Just spread a cup or two of it lightly over your homemade, Papa Murphy’s or frozen pizza and add a little extra bit of shredded mozarella. You’ll have a loaded, spicy pizza everyone will love. It will also be great in burritos with refried beans or in enchiladas. Another easy party idea is to put it in a chafing dish over heat and let people assemble their own tacos; just provide taco shells or small flour tortillas, some shredded lettuce, cheese and taco sauce. And don’t forget the sour cream and guacamole.