Description
This Mexican Rice Casserole is a hearty and flavorful one-pan dish featuring ground beef, rice, black beans, corn, and a blend of spices baked to perfection and topped with melted cheddar cheese. It’s an easy, satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get ready for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onions: In a large oven-safe skillet or casserole dish, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add uncooked rice, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies (including juices), beef broth, taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together to combine evenly.
- Simmer and Bake: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on the stovetop, then cover the skillet or casserole dish tightly with foil or a lid. Transfer it to the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Add Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven, uncover it, and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Melt Cheese: Return the dish to the oven uncovered for another 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the casserole before serving for a fresh burst of flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken for the ground beef for a different protein option.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add extra beans or vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to keep it hearty.
- To add extra heat, include chopped jalapeños or use hot diced tomatoes instead of mild.