Mexican Ground Beef Casserole with Rice

This Mexican Ground Beef Casserole with Rice is warm, cheesy, and full of comfort. It smells rich as it bakes and looks colorful right out of the oven. Each bite is soft rice, seasoned beef, and melted cheese. This is one of those easy meals that feels special but takes little effort. If you love quick dinner ideas and cozy lazy dinners, this recipe fits right in. It is great for busy nights and simple planning. You will want to save this one for later.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 half teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh parsley for topping, optional

Step By Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking dish and set it aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and clear.
3. Add the garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked. Break it into small pieces as it cooks.
5. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well so the beef is coated with flavor.
6. Add the uncooked rice, beef broth, diced tomatoes, corn, and black beans. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
7. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer.
8. Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 35 minutes until the rice is tender.
9. Remove the foil and sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top.
10. Return the dish to the oven uncovered. Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Do not skip draining the tomatoes. Too much liquid can make the casserole mushy. Avoid using extra lean beef because it can turn dry. Make sure the foil is sealed well during baking so the rice cooks evenly. These small steps make a big difference in ground beef casserole recipes.

Tips For Success

Use a deep baking dish to prevent spills. Stir the mixture well before baking so the rice cooks evenly. If you want extra flavor, try seasoning the beef with inspiration from bold ground beef seasoning ideas. This recipe works well for easy meals with ground beef when you want less stress in the kitchen.

How To Serve

Serve this casserole hot with a simple green salad or sliced avocado. A dollop of sour cream adds creaminess. Warm tortillas on the side make it even better. This dish fits perfectly with dinner ideas with ground beef and makes a filling family meal.

Flavor Add In Ideas

You can stir in chopped bell peppers for crunch. Add jalapenos if you like heat. Swap black beans for pinto beans. For a fun twist inspired by a tomato based beef dish, add a spoon of tomato paste for richness. These small changes keep things fresh when thinking of things to make with ground beef.

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole with Rice

This hearty Mexican Ground Beef Casserole with Rice is a comforting, cheesy one-dish meal packed with seasoned beef, tender rice, black beans, corn, and melty cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, it's easy to prepare and full of bold, satisfying flavor.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Casserole

Cuisine: Mexican

Calories: 520

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup long grain white rice uncooked
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup canned black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 can diced tomatoes drained
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced

Spices and Seasoning

• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Toppings

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• fresh parsley optional, for topping

Equipment

• Skillet
• Baking Dish
• Aluminum Foil

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish and set it aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent.
3. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces.
5. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the beef with spices.
6. Add rice, beef broth, diced tomatoes, corn, and black beans. Stir until combined.
7. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
8. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes, or until rice is tender.
9. Remove foil and sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top.
10. Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Let rest for 5 minutes. Top with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Drain canned tomatoes well to avoid extra liquid. Use a tightly sealed foil cover to ensure the rice cooks evenly. Avoid extra lean beef for better flavor and texture.

Make Ahead And Storage

This casserole is great for planning ahead. Assemble it earlier in the day and store it covered in the fridge. Bake when ready. Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven or microwave. It is one of those recipes using ground beef that tastes even better the next day.

FAQS

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but brown rice needs more liquid and time. Add half a cup more broth and bake longer. This keeps it simple for quick dinner ideas.

Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, let it cool fully, then freeze in a tight container. Thaw overnight before reheating. This is helpful for lazy dinners and busy weeks.

What other ground beef dishes go well with this?
If you enjoy this, you may also like cheesy beef sandwich dinners or quick beef skillet meals. They are great things to do with ground beef.

Conclusion

This Mexican Ground Beef Casserole with Rice is simple, filling, and full of flavor. It is perfect for busy nights, easy meals, and comfort cooking. If you love ground hamburger recipes that save time, this one belongs in your collection. Save it, share it, and pin it for later so dinner is always easy.