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