Easy Mexican Beef And Rice Casserole
Alright, my friends, let’s chat about this irresistible Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole. It’s the kind of dish that’ll make you feel like a five-star chef in your own kitchen. I’m talking about seasoned ground beef sautéed to perfection, joined by the refreshing crunch of corn, the savory goodness of spinach, all married beautifully with salsa and fire-roasted tomatoes. This symphony of flavors is then mixed with uncooked rice and submerged in a bath of chicken broth, it’s a one pot wonder that’s impossible to resist! But wait, there’s more! Just when you think this dish couldn’t get any better, we sprinkle a generous amount of Mexican four cheese blend on top. The cheese melts and turns gorgeously golden in the oven, creating a bubbling cheese crust that’s enough to make anyone weak in the knees. And finally, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for that added pop of color and freshness. This casserole isn’t just food, it’s an experience, a delicious, drool-worthy experience that’s sure to win over any dinner table!
Ground beef – I like to use a lean ground beef – you can also use other options of protein if you like such as ground chicken, turkey or pork! Spinach – End trimmed, and roughly chopped. Corn – Any brand of frozen corn kernels will do the trick! Tomatoes – I used one can of fire roasted tomatoes – you can use a different kind if you like and also roast your own tomatoes if you’d prefer! Rice – I used long grain rice for this recipe but you can use any rice of your choice! Chicken broth – You can also use beef and vegetable broth too – I like the low sodium or no salt added options. Taco seasoning – Any brand work fine! Salsa – You can use a mild or more spicy version or make your own! Cheese – I used a Mexican 4 cheese blend today. Cilantro – Chopped, for garnish – this is optional if you’re not a cilantro-person!
This casserole comes together in a snap! And the rice cooks together with the other ingredients, which means that this recipe only takes about 15 minutes of actual effort! The oven does the rest of the cooking for you. Anytime you’re making a casserole recipe the first thing you need to do is preheat your oven so that it’s ready to go. So turn your oven on to 375°F (191°C). Next, spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or grease it with vegetable oil. Then set the prepped casserole dish aside for now. Now, let’s get this casserole started! To begin, add the ground beef to a large skillet and then cook it for about 5 minutes over medium-high heat while breaking it up into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Then stir in the taco seasoning and continue cooking the ground meat until it is no longer pink and has started to brown. When the beef is done cooking, add the spinach, corn, roasted tomatoes, salsa, and half of the shredded cheese to the skillet. Next, stir everything together until it’s fully combined. Now, mix in the uncooked rice along with the chicken broth. Then after everything is added, make sure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed. After everything is mixed together, transfer the casserole mixture into the greased baking dish and cover it with a sheet of aluminum foil. Next, put the casserole into the preheated hot oven and let it bake for 45 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked. Then when the rice is done you can remove the foil and top the casserole with the rest of the shredded cheese. Now, pop the casserole back into the oven to bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted. Once the cheese is melted, remove the Mexican beef and rice casserole from the oven. Then garnish it with some chopped fresh cilantro or green onions and serve it immediately with all your favorite fixings like my refreshing pico de gallo.
Storage
After letting the casserole cool, you can store it in the refrigerator. If it’s in a casserole dish, you can cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Alternatively, you can transfer it to an airtight container. It should last for about 3-4 days in the fridge.
Other Delicious Casseroles To Try
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Beef Tamale Casserole Sweet Potato Casserole Sausage Potato Breakfast Casserole Skillet Sloppy Joe Casserole Baked Spaghetti Casserole No Peek Chicken Rice Casserole Skillet Shepherd’s Pie Beef Noodle Casserole
