Description
A hearty and flavorful Mexican Rice Casserole featuring ground beef or turkey, vegetables, beans, and rice, baked to perfection with melted cheese on top. This comforting dish is perfect for a family dinner and can be garnished with fresh cilantro, sour cream, and jalapeños for an extra kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
Toppings and Garnish
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Sour cream (optional, for serving)
- Sliced jalapeños (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or ground turkey over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Make sure to crumble the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess fat for a leaner casserole.
- Add Vegetables: Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked meat. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the uncooked rice, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce, chicken or vegetable broth, and taco seasoning. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly to ensure even cooking.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil, stir the casserole gently to redistribute ingredients, and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the rice is fully cooked.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Serve warm with sour cream and sliced jalapeños on the side for added flavor and heat.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Use vegetable broth to make this dish vegetarian if omitting meat.
- Adjust the spice level by adding jalapeños to the casserole or serving them on the side.
- Covering the dish during the first baking helps the rice cook evenly without drying out.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
