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Mexican Rice Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.1 from 49 reviews

This Mexican Rice Casserole is a flavorful, one-pot dish combining lean ground beef, rice, beans, vegetables, and a blend of Mexican spices, topped with melted cheese. Perfect for a hearty family meal, it’s easy to prepare on the stovetop and comes together in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix
  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese

Optional Toppings

  • Chopped cilantro
  • Sliced green onions
  • Sour cream
  • Sliced avocado

Instructions

  1. Cook the ground beef: In a large deep skillet over medium-high heat, cook the lean ground beef until no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease to reduce fat.
  2. Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften. Stir in the taco seasoning mix to evenly coat the mixture.
  3. Add remaining ingredients: Mix in the uncooked long-grain white rice, drained black beans, frozen corn kernels, canned diced tomatoes with green chiles (with liquid), salsa, and low-sodium chicken broth. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients well and bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Simmer the casserole: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
  5. Add cheese topping: Remove the skillet from heat and evenly sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese over the top. Cover again and let stand for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and meld into the dish.
  6. Serve and garnish: Spoon the hot casserole onto plates and garnish with optional toppings such as chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, sour cream, or sliced avocado to add freshness and extra flavor.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based ground meat or extra beans.
  • Use low-sodium broth and taco seasoning to keep sodium levels in check.
  • Make sure to rinse and drain the black beans well to avoid excess salt and improve texture.
  • This casserole can be made ahead and reheated; add a splash of broth if it thickens when reheating.
  • Feel free to customize with extra veggies like zucchini or jalapeños for more spice and nutrition.

Keywords: Mexican rice casserole, ground beef casserole, one-pot Mexican meal, easy dinner recipe, taco rice bake

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/mexican-rice-casserole-recipe/