Description
Savor hearty Mexican beef and rice casserole, a comforting dish that blends zesty spices with tender ground beef and fluffy rice. Melted cheese and colorful toppings make this crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family dinners you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Starches:
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
Sauces and Liquids:
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F, preparing a casserole dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Brown the ground beef in the same skillet, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking until no pink remains.
- Drain excess grease from the meat, then return to pan and mix in taco seasoning, creating a robust flavor profile.
- Incorporate tomato sauce, black beans, corn, and green chilies into the meat mixture, allowing ingredients to meld together over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, fold cooked rice into the seasoned beef mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Sprinkle half the shredded cheese throughout the mixture, creating pockets of melty goodness.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly and topping with remaining cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese becomes golden and slightly crispy around edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro for a bright, herbal finish.
Notes
- Optimize the rice texture by using day-old cooled rice to prevent mushiness and maintain distinct grains.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting taco seasoning or adding fresh jalapeños for extra heat.
- Make it gluten-free by selecting a certified gluten-free taco seasoning and checking bean and corn labels.
- Enhance protein variety by substituting ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg