Description
Spicy Tex Mex Casserole brings layers of Southwest comfort to your dinner table, blending hearty ingredients with zesty flavors. Cheese-topped and bubbling with robust spices, this comforting dish delivers a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) lean ground beef (95%)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 3/4 cup chopped tomatoes
Pantry and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup basmati rice, cooked
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by warming it to 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal environment for baking the casserole.
- Heat a large skillet and thoroughly brown the ground beef, ensuring complete cooking and elimination of raw meat texture.
- Drain excess fat from the beef to reduce unnecessary greasiness in the dish.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into the skillet, sautéing until the vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Add tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, and salsa to create a rich, robust sauce that will infuse the casserole with vibrant flavors.
- Simmer the sauce for approximately 5 minutes to allow the ingredients to meld and develop depth.
- Introduce black beans, cooked basmati rice, and diced green bell peppers to the skillet, creating a hearty and colorful mixture.
- Season the combined ingredients with salt and black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Carefully transfer the entire mixture into a casserole dish, spreading it evenly to ensure consistent cooking.
- Generously sprinkle grated cheddar cheese across the top, creating a golden, melted layer.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese becomes completely melted and develops a slight bubble.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes, which helps set the ingredients and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, hearty texture.
- Consider using cauliflower rice instead of basmati to lower carbohydrate content and add extra nutrition.
- Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream on top for extra creaminess and a cool contrast to the spicy casserole.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or monterey jack to enhance the Tex-Mex flavor profile and add more depth to the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg