Make Selena Gomez’s Favourite Childhood Casserole

In 2020, on the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I spent a lot of my time watching the brand new episodes of HBO Max’s Selena + supervisorstudying new recipes alongside Selena Gomez, who was additionally studying to cook dinner from prime cooks around the globe.

I’ve made Chef Daniel Holzman’s hen meatballs and home made gnocchi, Ayesha Curry’s prosciutto-wrapped and gorgonzola-filled dates, and José Andrés’ pan con tomate with jamón ibérico — but the primary recipe that has caught with me for the previous 5 years got here from Gomez’s Nana: the Tacky Rooster Tortilla Chip Casserole.

In a particular section of Selena + boss, Gomez and Nana demo certainly one of Gomez’s favourite childhood casseroles. “Often I’m the one studying within the kitchen, however proper now, I’m going to show you all one thing,” mentioned Gomez. “This recipe is certainly one of my favourite childhood dishes, and Nana and I assumed it could be enjoyable to share it with you.”

Gomez explains the casserole was a family staple rising up, particularly on Friday nights or when buddies came visiting. The attraction? Its recipe requires simply six cheap, easy-to-find components: tortilla chips (particularly Doritos), loads of Velveeta cheese, yellow onions, jalapeños, hen broth, and rotisserie hen. (Any shredded leftover hen works too.)

It’s easy consolation meals, and even higher—a lot of the components may already be in your kitchen.

make Selena Gomez’s favourite Tacky Rooster Tortilla Chip Casserole

To make Nana’s casserole, begin by heating your oven to 350°F and seize a baking dish. With the dish prepared and all six components gathered, begin by finely crushing the Doritos tortilla chips to create a layer on the backside of the casserole dish. (This recipe doesn’t require exact measurements, permitting you to regulate every layer in keeping with your style — as an illustration, add extra hen for additional protein or enhance the jalapeños for added spice.)

Start with a base of crunched tortilla chips and prime it with shredded rotisserie hen because the second layer. After that, Gomez and Nana positioned pickled jalapeños and diced onions over the hen. Subsequent, it’s time to layer Velveeta cheese over the onions and jalapeños. Gomez says the cheesiness of this casserole is her favourite a part of the dish, so when you recognize additional cheese like she does, don’t be shy throughout this step — there’s no disgrace in loving cheese.

After including the cheese, repeat all of the earlier steps and layers once more, excluding the cheese for now. Begin with one other layer of crunched tortilla chips, adopted by extra shredded hen, then prime it with yellow onions and jalapeños. Nana notes that this recipe doesn’t require additional salt, because the rotisserie hen and tortilla chips are already seasoned and salty.

Subsequent, Nana tells Gomez so as to add the hen broth, which brings moisture and further taste to the casserole, making certain that every layer binds collectively. Gomez pours some broth evenly over the casserole, however not excessively. After including the hen broth, Gomez provides the second and closing layer of Velveeta cheese. This could function the ultimate layer when you choose the casserole to have a prime layer of melted cheese as soon as it is baked.

The key to an “genuine Selena-style” tortilla casserole

However Gomez likes this dish to be additional crunchy, so she provides extra tortilla chips over the cheese. Gomez places tons of chips on prime, utterly protecting the cheese — much like sprinkling breadcrumbs atop mac and cheese earlier than baking. This manner, you may nonetheless get additional bits of crunch for Selena’s approval atop the gooey, melted cheese.

Lastly, whether or not you strive the “genuine Selena model” with the ultimate layer or not, cowl the baking dish with foil, ship the casserole off to the oven, and bake for 20 minutes.