Save A hearty comforting casserole packed with seasoned ground beef tender rice beans and melty cheese all baked in a zesty Tex-Mex tomato sauce.
The first time I made this Tex-Mex beef & rice casserole the savory aroma had everyone gathering around the oven waiting for dinner to finish. I love how simple it is to put together and how the flavors come together for a cozy meal on busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef: 1 lb (450 g)
- Black beans: 1 can (15 oz/425 g) drained and rinsed
- Yellow onion: 1 medium diced
- Red bell pepper: 1 medium diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves minced
- Long-grain white rice: 1 cup (200 g) uncooked
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies: 1 can (14 oz/400 g) undrained
- Beef broth: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Tomato sauce: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
- Shredded cheddar cheese: 1 1/2 cups (170 g) divided
- Chili powder: 2 tsp
- Ground cumin: 1 tsp
- Smoked paprika: 1/2 tsp
- Dried oregano: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: 1/2 tsp (or to taste)
- Black pepper: 1/4 tsp
- Fresh cilantro: chopped optional
- Sliced jalapeños: optional
- Sour cream: optional
Instructions
- Prep casserole dish:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) casserole dish.
- Brown beef:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté vegetables:
- Add diced onion bell pepper and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Season and cook:
- Stir in chili powder cumin paprika oregano salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add rice and liquids:
- Add uncooked rice diced tomatoes with their juice tomato sauce and beef broth. Mix well.
- Combine beans and cheese:
- Fold in black beans and 1 cup (115 g) of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Transfer and bake:
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Bake covered:
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Bake uncovered:
- Remove foil sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup (55 g) cheddar over the top and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and rice is tender.
- Garnish and serve:
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro jalapeños and sour cream as desired.
Save This casserole is a favorite at our family gatherings and always disappears quickly at potlucks. My kids help sprinkle the cheese before baking making it a true team effort.
Recipe Variations
Swap the ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter take. Try Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend of cheese to amp up the flavor and add corn kernels or green onions for extra texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this casserole with tortilla chips or a crisp green salad for a complete meal. A squeeze of lime and fresh chopped cilantro add a bright finishing touch.
Nutrition Information
Each serving yields about 420 calories 17 g total fat 41 g carbohydrates and 26 g protein making it a satisfying and balanced dinner.
Save This Tex-Mex casserole brings comfort to the table and leftovers are just as delicious the next day. Give it a try on your next busy weeknight!