Zesty Mexican Ground Beef Casserole with Rice Recipe

Crafting a hearty mexican ground beef casserole with rice feels like wrapping comfort in a warm, cheesy embrace.

Layers of seasoned beef and fluffy grains create a mouthwatering symphony of flavors.

Spices dance across each bite, promising a delightful culinary adventure.

Simple ingredients combine to produce an incredibly satisfying meal that speaks directly to your hunger.

Quick to assemble and even faster to devour, this dish transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into something special.

Imagine the smiles around your table as everyone digs into this delectable creation.

You won’t be able to resist seconds of this irresistible casserole.

Mexican Mince Skillet – Rice, Beef, and Big Flavor

• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Combine all ingredients in one skillet and transfer to a baking dish, making dinner preparation a breeze with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
• Packed with Nutrition: Loaded with protein from ground beef, fiber-rich beans and corn, and essential vitamins from colorful vegetables, creating a balanced and wholesome meal for the whole family.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or adjust spices to suit your taste preferences, making this versatile casserole adaptable to different dietary needs and flavor profiles.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Utilize affordable ingredients like ground beef, rice, and canned beans to create a satisfying meal that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank.

Must-Have Ingredients for Mexican Ground Beef Rice Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful meat that serves as the main protein in this Mexican-inspired casserole.
• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and depth of flavor to the rice and overall dish.

• Onion, Garlic: Create a aromatic flavor base for the casserole.
• Capsicum, Corn, Black Beans, Green Onions: Add texture, color, and nutritional value to the dish.
• Tomato Paste: Enhances the rich, tangy flavor and helps bind the ingredients together.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and adding a smooth cooking base.
• Cheese: Melts to create a delicious golden topping that adds creaminess to the casserole.
• Spices: Provide authentic Mexican-inspired flavor and warmth to the entire dish.

Step-by-Step: Mince Skillet to Table

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) and get ready for a flavor-packed meal.

Step 2: Sizzle the Aromatics

Grab a large skillet and pour in some olive oil.

Dance the onions and garlic around until they turn soft and fragrant.

Step 3: Brown the Beef

Toss in the ground beef and cook until it’s beautifully browned.

Stir in the tomato paste to add a rich, deep flavor.

Step 4: Create the Flavor Explosion

• Uncooked rice
• Chicken broth
• Corn
• Black beans
• Capsicum
• Green onions
• Spice blend

Mix everything together until well incorporated.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the sizzling mixture to a baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 6: Bake and Bubble

Cover the dish with foil and slide it into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Step 7: Cheese It Up

Remove the foil and sprinkle cheese generously on top.

Pop it back in the oven for another 10 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly blanket.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole cool down for a few minutes.

This allows the flavors to mingle and makes serving easier.

Dig in and enjoy your Mexican-inspired feast!

Tips for Flavor-Packed Mexican Mince

• Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch, ensuring each grain remains separate and fluffy in the casserole.
• Adjust chili powder and cayenne pepper to match your heat tolerance, creating a personalized flavor profile without overwhelming the dish.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version that maintains the recipe's rich texture.
• Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers to increase nutritional value and add extra color and flavor.
• Cover the dish tightly with foil during initial baking to lock in moisture, ensuring the rice cooks evenly and the meat stays tender.

Mexican Casserole Variations and Add-Ins

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a meat-free version that maintains the same hearty texture and flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute rice with riced cauliflower to create a lower-carbohydrate option that keeps the Mexican-inspired seasoning and overall dish structure.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly checking chicken broth and seasonings to make the casserole safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy Lovers Edition: Add diced jalapeños, increase chili powder, and include hot sauce to elevate the heat level for those who enjoy a more intense flavor experience.

Plating Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

• Zesty Salsa Sidekick: Top each serving with fresh homemade salsa or store-bought chunky salsa for a bright, tangy kick that complements the rich beef and rice.
• Cool & Creamy Companion: Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top to balance the spicy flavors and provide a cool, smooth contrast to the warm casserole.
• Fresh Green Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or crisp lettuce on top for added freshness, color, and a light crunch that brings the dish to life.
• Fiesta Side Extras: Serve alongside warm tortillas, crispy tortilla chips, or a simple side salad to create a complete Mexican-inspired meal that everyone will love.

Storage Tips for Mexican Mince Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer casserole to freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Stays good for up to 3 months. Label with date.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Cover casserole with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Check internal temperature reaches 165F.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until steaming hot.

FAQs

• Is this casserole spicy?

The spice level depends on the chili powder and jalapeños you use. You can adjust the heat by reducing or increasing these ingredients to suit your taste preference.

• Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, you can substitute brown rice, but you’ll need to increase the liquid and cooking time since brown rice takes longer to cook and absorbs more liquid.

• What type of ground beef works best?

Choose ground beef with 80/20 or 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio for the best flavor and moisture. Leaner beef might result in a drier casserole.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The recipe has mild flavors and kid-friendly ingredients like corn and beans. Most children enjoy the cheesy, hearty texture of this casserole.

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole with Rice (beef mince!) Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Mexican ground beef casserole brings hearty comfort straight from south of the border. Cheesy layers of seasoned beef and rice promise a fiesta of flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 lb (500g) lean ground beef (mince)
• 1 cup green onions/shallots

Vegetables and Beans:

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 capsicum/bell pepper, diced
• 14 ounces (400g) can corn kernels, drained
• 14 ounces (400g) can black beans, drained

Seasonings, Liquids, and Cheese:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup tomato paste
• 1.25 cups uncooked long grain white rice
• 2.5 cups (625 ml) low sodium chicken broth/stock
• 2 cups (200g) shredded cheese
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1.5 tablespoons dried oregano
• 3 teaspoons cumin
• 3 teaspoons coriander
• 3 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1.5 teaspoons salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 375F (190C) to ensure proper cooking temperature.
2. In a large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat and sauté onion and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant.
3. Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains.
4. Incorporate tomato paste into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute evenly.
5. Add uncooked rice, chicken broth, corn, black beans, capsicum, green onions, and all specified spices to the skillet, mixing ingredients comprehensively.
6. Allow the mixture to simmer and blend flavors, creating a cohesive one-pot base.
7. Transfer the entire skillet contents to a prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
8. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing rice to cook and flavors to meld.
9. Remove foil and generously sprinkle cheese across the top of the casserole.
10. Return to oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
11. Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 3-5 minutes to stabilize and cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly version that keeps all the zesty Mexican flavors.
• Use brown rice instead of white rice to boost fiber content and add more nutritional value to this hearty casserole.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder and adding fresh jalapeños for spice lovers or reducing spices for milder palates.
• Prep this dish ahead of time by assembling the casserole and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve – perfect for busy weeknight meals.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 475 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 690 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg