Description
Comforting Mexican beef and rice casserole brings hearty southwestern flavors to your dinner table with cheesy, spicy goodness. Packed with ground beef, zesty seasonings, and melted cheese, this one-dish meal will satisfy you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Grains and Vegetables:
- 2 cups (380 grams) cooked rice
- 1 cup (150 grams) fresh spinach
- 1 cup (150 grams) corn
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) roasted tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) salsa
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheese (divided)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375℉ and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high and crumble ground beef, cooking until it loses its raw appearance and separates into small pieces.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef, stirring continuously to ensure even coating and complete browning.
- Incorporate chopped spinach, sweet corn kernels, roasted tomatoes, and zesty salsa into the meat mixture, blending thoroughly for balanced flavor distribution.
- Fold in half of the shredded cheese, allowing it to slightly melt and create a creamy texture throughout the mixture.
- Gently stir in cooked rice and chicken broth, ensuring all ingredients are evenly combined and moisture is consistent.
- Carefully transfer the skillet’s contents into the prepared baking dish, spreading the mixture uniformly for even cooking.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for approximately 45 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb liquid and become tender.
- Remove the foil and generously sprinkle remaining cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, melting the cheese until it turns golden and slightly bubbly.
Notes
- Boost protein by adding black beans or quinoa to the casserole for extra nutritional value.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, leaner option perfect for health-conscious eaters.
- Make the dish gluten-free by using certified gluten-free taco seasoning and ensuring all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- Prep ahead by cooking rice and browning meat the night before to reduce day-of cooking time and simplify meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg