Amish hay stack dinner
This crowd pleasing dinner is similar to taco salad, yet tweaked to become an Amish family favorite by using cup cheese sauce on top!
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rice (1 cup dry rice in 2 3/4 cups water)
Beef mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3/4 tablespoon taco seasoning or to taste
- 1/3 teaspoon season all
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional toppings (optional):
- Tortilla chips
- shredded lettuce
- diced tomato
- diced onion
- Shredded taco or cheddar cheese
For the cheese sauce:
- 1 pound American cheese slices white or yellow
- 1 1/3 cups water
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in olive oil and season with taco seasoning, salt and pepper and the taco seasoning (seasonings can be added to taste).
- To make the cheese sauce, place the American cheese in a small saucepan then add water, baking soda and salt. Melt on medium heat, stirring frequently to keep the bottom from burning. Once the cheese has fully dissolved and no lumps remain, remove from heat and allow to cool. If a skin forms on top remove it to prevent lumps. This cheese sauce thickens as it cools, if the sauce is too thick to pour when you are ready to serve it, reheat over the stovetop or in the microwave until pourable.
- Assemble remaining ingredients and serve each one in separate dishes. Layer the Haystack onto your plate with whatever you wish! My favorite haystack starts with crushed tortilla chips, then rice, beef, and veggies layered on top. I like to top it all with shredded cheese, then cheese sauce and Mary’s Sweet and Tangy Onion Dressing. Enjoy!
Notes
If the cheese sauce is too thin, allow it to cool or add additional American cheese and then melt the additional cheese into the sauce.
Additional notes and step by step photos below.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!