August 21, 2023
Review RecipeMexican Beef And Rice Casserole
Table of Contents
Mexican beef and rice casserole ticks all of the boxes. There’s tons of cheesy flavor, it’s loaded with hearty seasoned beef and taco toppings, it looks delicious, and it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner option.
Mexican Beef And Rice Casserole Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 1 white onion, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 pound of lean or extra-lean ground beef
- 1 (15-ounce) can of corn kernels, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 envelope of taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons
- 1 (14-ounce) jar of chunky salsa, mild or medium
- 1 cup of minute rice, uncooked
- 1½ cups of chicken broth, low sodium
- 2 cups of shredded Mexican cheese, divided in half
PRO TIP:
It is very important to use minute rice for this recipe. It won’t work with regular rice.
Substitutions And Additions
MEXICAN CHEESE: If you can’t find a Mexican cheese blend, any cheese that melts well will work. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and even cheddar cheese are all tasty options.
CORN: Frozen corn can be used if you don’t have any fresh corn kernels handy. Defrost them in warm water before adding them to this Mexican casserole.
VEGGIES: Green bell peppers and green chilies are both great options to add to this tasty casserole.
SPICE: Adjust the heat level with a dash of hot sauce or chili powder in your casserole.
How To Make This Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
This is a great freezer meal. Double your recipe and make a second casserole dish of this delicious meal for later.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
STEP TWO: In a large skillet, cook the white onion and garlic with olive oil over high heat until the onions have softened and the garlic is just starting to brown.
Pour the onion mixture into the prepared baking dish.
STEP THREE: Using the same frying pan, brown meat over high heat. Break up the beef into crumbles while cooking. Be careful not to overcook, it shouldn’t be crispy.
PRO TIP:
For an even quicker cooking time, the ground beef and onions can be cooked ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to a month.
STEP FOUR: Once the meat is thoroughly cooked, drain off a bit of the grease and then pour it into the baking dish.
STEP FIVE: Add the corn, black beans, taco seasoning mix, salsa, uncooked rice, and 1 cup of shredded cheese to the baking dish.
Leave the remaining shredded cheese for the top.
STEP SIX: Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients and stir until it is mixed well.
STEP SEVEN: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
STEP EIGHT: Remove from the oven and check that the rice has softened. If not, place it back into the oven for an additional five minutes and check again.
If the rice has softened, remove all foil and sprinkle the remaining one cup of cheese over top of the casserole, and bake uncovered for an additional five minutes to melt the cheese.
STEP NINE: Serve this cheesy casserole hot.
How To Serve
Top your Mexican rice casserole with salsa, sour cream, green onions, fresh tomatoes, and guacamole.
This recipe is filling, but if you want something to serve with it, why not try a Mexican corn salad? Or you could make a simple but colorful Mexican layered salad with it.
If you are looking for more Tex-Mex casserole recipes, our Dorito casserole and Mexican casserole are two more winners. Our chicken and rice casserole is also a reader favorite!
MORE MEXICAN DISH RECIPES
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: You can store any leftovers of this Mexican ground beef casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days.
Make sure the casserole is completely cooled before refrigerating.
IN THE FREEZER: If you want to freeze some or all of this Mexican beef and rice, then you should let it cool and store it in an airtight container or wrap the casserole dish thoroughly.
Store it in the freezer for up to three months, defrost, and reheat in the oven before serving.
This tasty Mexican beef and rice casserole is a great recipe for a simple evening meal that the whole family will enjoy. It is also the basis for things like stuffed peppers, so there’s loads you can do once you master it.
Frequently Asked Questions
This easy ground beef recipe is a great freezer meal. You can make the entire casserole, let it cook, cover, and freeze it. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake.
Any ground meat would be fine in this recipe in place of ground beef.
If you leave out the ground meat, switch to vegetable broth, and increase the quantity of beans in this dish, you’ll have a great vegetarian option.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
- Enchilada Cups
- Spanish Rice
- Taco Soup
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Sloppy Joe Pie
- Taco Bake
- Green Bean Casserole
- Cheesy Beef Quesadillas
- Sloppy Joes
- Corn Casserole
- White Chicken Enchilada Skillet
- White Chicken Enchiladas
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- King Ranch Chicken Casserole
- Beef Stew
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- Instant Pot Chili
- Bacon Wrapped Corn on the Cob
- Pork Fried Rice
- Stove Top Meatloaf
- Chili Recipe
- Beef and Noodle Casserole
- Lemon Rice
- Lasagna Roll Ups
- Better Than Take Out Fried Rice
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Unstuffed Pepper Casserole
- Mushroom Rice
- Italian Chicken Recipe
- Puffy Tacos
Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 white onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef, lean or extra-lean
- 15 ounces corn kernels, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 envelope taco seasoning (2 tablespoons)
- 14 ounces chunky salsa, mild or medium
- 1 cup minute rice, uncooked
- 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese, divided in half
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F°F.
- Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- In a large frying pan, cook white onion and garlic with olive oil over high heat until the onions have softened and the garlic is just starting to brown. Pour the onion mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Using the same frying pan, cook ground beef over high heat. Break up beef into crumbles while baking. Be careful not to overcook, it shouldn’t be crispy.
- Once the meat has thoroughly cooked, drain off a bit of the grease and then pour it into the baking dish.
- Add corn, black beans, taco seasoning, salsa, uncooked minute rice, and 1 cup of shredded cheese to the baking dish and stir well to mix. Leave the remaining cheese for the top.
- Pour chicken broth over ingredients and mix well.
- Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and check that the rice has softened. If not, place it back into the oven for an additional 5 minutes and check again. If the rice has softened, remove all foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over top of the casserole, and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- It is very important to use minute rice for this recipe. It won’t work with regular rice.
- This is a great freezer meal. Double your recipe and make a second casserole dish of this delicious meal for later.
- For an even quicker cooking time, the ground beef and onions can be cooked ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to a month.
Comments
Gloria says
This is the best, hearty dinner!! So easy, too.
Morgan says
I usually don’t make a recipe unless it has several reviews to see what others have said after making it. I’m glad I made this one anyway! Absolutely delicious and super easy.
Tami says
I haven’t made this recipe yet. Would anyone have a suggestion what I could swap the black beans for?
Thank you
Layne Kangas says
You could leave them out if you prefer. Enjoy!
Erin Holmes says
This has become a family favriote. I use beef broth instead of chicken and leave out the black beans. I also use old cheddar. Leftovers are even better and plenty for our family of 4. Thank you for such a tasty easy meal. I have picky eaters and this was a win.
Cheyenne says
Does it need to be minute rice or could I sub regular uncooked?
Layne Kangas says
It needs to be minute rice for the texture to turn out properly! Enjoy!
Debra says
Delicious and simple! I made corn tortillas with it and itโs great with or without! I also love sour cream on top! Itโs the perfect quick and easy meal!
Gianna says
Only adjustment I made was adding 2 cups broth. Rice turned out great in the casserole! Everyone loved it even my toddlers!
Jade says
Fantastic!
Paula says
Wonderful!
Becky says
Super easy & tastes amazing!
New family favorite ๐คฉ
Terry says
Does this recipe freeze OK
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Terry – here are our storage suggestions:
IN THE FRIDGE: You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Make sure the food is completely cooled before refrigerating.
IN THE FREEZER: If you want to freeze some or all of this Mexican beef and rice, then you should let it cool and store it in an airtight container or wrap the casserole dish thoroughly. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months, defrost and reheat in the oven before serving.