Description
Mexican Rice Casserole brings zesty flavors and hearty comfort to your dinner table. Packed with tender rice, spicy seasonings, and rich protein, this one-pot wonder delivers a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Grains and Base:
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ cup salsa
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Vegetables and Additions:
- 15 ounces canned corn, drained
- 1 small diced onion
Cheese and Garnish:
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
Seasoning:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature and thoroughly brown of ground beef, seasoning with salt and black pepper, then carefully drain any accumulated fat.
- Return the skillet to the stovetop and generously coat the meat with of taco seasoning and of garlic powder, ensuring every morsel is evenly seasoned.
- Add of uncooked long-grain white rice into the beef mixture, stirring to combine and lightly toast the grains.
- Pour in 1 ½ cups of beef broth, one 15-ounce can of whole kernel corn (undrained), an 8-ounce can of tomato sauce, and ½ cup of prepared salsa, mixing thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Increase heat to bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice becomes tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Once rice is cooked, sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, replace the lid, and allow cheese to melt completely for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving directly from the skillet to maintain warmth and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Customize this hearty one-pot meal with personal flair by swapping ground beef for shredded chicken or plant-based protein alternatives.
- Meal preparation becomes a breeze with this streamlined recipe that eliminates multiple cooking steps and dirty dishes.
- Leftover casserole can be stored in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to three days, making perfect next-day lunch options.
- Enhance flavor complexity by incorporating additional spices like cumin, chili powder, or smoked paprika during meat seasoning stage.
- Budget-friendly ingredients transform this dish into an economical weeknight dinner solution that satisfies hungry families without breaking the bank.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 508 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 861mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 90mg