Description
This Easy One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole is a quick and flavorful dish combining ground beef, rice, corn, tomatoes, and cheese simmered together in a single skillet. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this casserole blends traditional Mexican flavors with convenience, resulting in a comforting and cheesy meal that serves six.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: In a large deep skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften and become fragrant.
- Add taco seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for an additional minute, ensuring the seasoning is well mixed with the beef and aromatics.
- Combine main ingredients: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chilies, corn kernels, uncooked rice, and beef broth. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the casserole: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Melt the cheese: Remove the lid and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Replace the lid and let it sit for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts completely.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with optional toppings like sour cream, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro. Serve the casserole warm for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use a deep skillet or a large sauté pan with a lid to ensure even cooking and prevent liquid from escaping.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add extra diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- To make it vegetarian, replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
