Description
A flavorful and hearty Mexican Rice Casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and rice simmered together in a savory tomato and salsa sauce, topped with melted Colby Jack cheese and fresh cilantro. Perfect for a comforting family dinner with vibrant taco-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef (at least 85/15 lean)
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
Beans, Grains, and Broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
Cheese and Garnishes
- 2 cups freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
- Fresh chopped cilantro, for serving
- Your favorite taco toppings
Instructions
- Brown Beef and Vegetables: In a large deep skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with diced green bell pepper and onion until the beef is fully browned and vegetables are softened. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Then add the taco seasoning packet and mix thoroughly to coat the beef and vegetables evenly.
- Add Beans, Corn, and Liquids: Pour in the black beans, corn, beef broth, salsa, and tomato sauce. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer with Rice: Once boiling, stir in the long-grain white rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the skillet bottom.
- Melt Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese until it melts into the casserole. Then sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top. Cover the skillet again and let the cheese melt from the residual heat, about 5 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and offer your favorite taco toppings alongside. Serve warm and enjoy this comforting Mexican Rice Casserole.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and keep the casserole light.
- Stir the rice occasionally during simmering to avoid burning or sticking.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning based on your spice preference.
- This casserole can be made ahead and reheated; add a little broth if it dries out during reheating.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the beef with plant-based protein and use vegetable broth.
