Beef Taco Rice Casserole (Print)

Savor Tex-Mex layers of beef, rice, beans, and cheese in a satisfying, crowd-pleasing casserole—easy and comforting.

# Components:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)

→ Aromatics and Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Grains and Legumes

05 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
06 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained

→ Liquids and Sauces

08 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
09 - 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
10 - 1 cup tomato sauce

→ Spices and Seasonings

11 - 2 tbsp taco seasoning
12 - 1 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Cheeses and Garnishes

16 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
17 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions
18 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until thoroughly browned. Drain off any excess fat.
03 - Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Stir in the uncooked rice, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes (including their juices), tomato sauce, beef broth, taco seasoning, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
05 - Bring the mixture in the skillet to a gentle simmer. Carefully transfer the entire contents to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
06 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes.
07 - Remove the foil. Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the rice is fully cooked and tender.
08 - Allow the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped cilantro, if using.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just one hour from start to finish
  • Uses pantry staples you likely already have
  • One-pan meal with minimal cleanup
  • Perfect for meal prep and freezes beautifully
  • Kid-friendly while still flavorful enough for adults
02 -
  • Excellent source of protein with approximately 27g per serving
  • Can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking
  • Perfect for using up leftover taco ingredients
  • Versatile recipe that can be customized based on preferences

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