Description
This hearty Mexican Rice Casserole features seasoned ground beef, colorful vegetables, beans, and rice all simmered together in a flavorful salsa and tomato sauce base. Topped with melted Colby Jack cheese and fresh cilantro, it’s a comforting, all-in-one dish perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef (at least 85/15 lean)
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
Garnishes and Toppings
- Fresh chopped cilantro, for serving
- Your favorite taco toppings (such as sour cream, avocado, jalapeños, or sliced olives)
Instructions
- Brown Beef and Vegetables: In a large deep skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with diced green bell pepper and onion. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables have softened. Drain any excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about one minute until fragrant. Then add the packet of taco seasoning, mixing thoroughly to evenly coat everything with the spices.
- Combine Remaining Ingredients and Simmer: Add black beans, corn, beef broth, salsa, and tomato sauce into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the long-grain white rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer gently for 25-30 minutes or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally during this time to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese into the mixture until incorporated. Then sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top. Cover the skillet and allow the residual heat to melt the cheese.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the casserole and serve alongside your favorite taco toppings like sour cream or sliced jalapeños for added flavor.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based meat substitute.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to reduce the sodium content.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- You can substitute Colby Jack cheese with a Mexican blend or cheddar cheese.
- Ensure the rice is white long-grain for best texture; brown rice will require longer cooking time and more liquid.
