Mexican Beef And Rice Casserole is an easy, cheesy, delicious ground beef skillet dinner loaded with Mexican beefy taco flavor that your whole family will love!
It is similar to my Mexican Rice recipe I published recently but with ground beef, black beans, corn, and other ingredients, it is an entire meal instead of a side dish. Like my Chile Relleno Casserole, and this is one of my favorite Mexican dishes.
Table of Contents
Mexican Beef and Rice
This is one of my family’s favorite Mexican Dinners and one of my favorites to make. Why? Because it bursting with loads of Mexican flavor, yet it has everyday ingredients, like ground beef and rice, that I almost always have on hand, and it is a one-pot meal that can be made on top of the stove in one pot for fewer dishes to wash. There is no need to heat the oven or heat up the kitchen, and I have more time to spend with my family instead of washing dishes.
What Do I Need To Make Mexican Beef And Rice Casserole
You will need a deep, large skillet or dutch oven with a cover.
With its taco seasoned ground beef, onion, garlic, bell pepper, rice, salsa, green chilies, corn, beef broth, and black beans, it will make any Mexican Food lover’s heart go pitter-pat with happiness!
I used 80% ground beef but if you like, you could use leaner ground beef, such as 90/10.
For the corn, I used frozen corn that had been thawed. However, you could use canned corn if that is what you have on hand.
For the rice, I used long grain white rice, and that is the rice I recommend to use in this Beef and Rice Casserole, or any casserole because it will cook perfectly with the other ingredients without becoming sticky or mushy.
How Do I Control The Spice Level In This Recipe
For the salsa, I used mild red salsa. However, if you like bolder flavor, then use medium or hot salsa for a spicier casserole.
Another way to control the spice level is to make your own taco seasoning instead of using store-bought taco seasoning. In addition to controlling the heat level, it allows you to control the amount of salt in the dish as well.
How Do I Make Mexican Beef And Rice Casserole
It is really easy to make. I’ll go through step by step how to make this recipe and provide photos of each step. However, for the more detailed ingredient amounts and instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Start by chopping the onion and bell pepper and mincing the garlic.
Then, in a large skillet, over medium heat, cook the chopped onion, and bell pepper in oil for about 5 minutes or until the onion and bell pepper are softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
Once the onion and bell pepper are softened, add the ground beef and cook for another 5 minutes. After the ground beef is cooked, drain the extra grease.
Sprinkle taco seasoning over the cooked ground beef and stir until the ground beef is covered with the taco seasoning.
After the ground beef is seasoned and cooked, add the drained corn, black beans, salsa, tomato paste, and green chilies and stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dish.
Next, add the uncooked rice and beef broth.
Cover and bring the rice mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 18 minutes. When you remove the cover, it should like similar to the image on the right below.
Sprinkle shredded Mexican Cheese over the casserole. Cover for about 3 to 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt. Garnish with chopped tomatoes, green onions, or cilantro. Serve hot!
Tips For Mexican Beef And Rice Casserole
Be sure to measure all your ingredients accurately because it is very important to have the right amount of liquid to the amount of rice.
Also, don’t skip the step to bring the beef and rice to a boil first before lowering the heat. Then let it simmer while it cooks.
More Ground Beef Dinner Ideas
Ground Beef Stroganoff – This easy 30-minute Ground Beef Stroganoff recipe omits the cream of mushroom soup and uses ground beef for an awesome comfort food dinner!
Beef Enchilada Taco Boat – handheld taco boats that make a perfect meal for a big game.
Eggroll In A Bowl – is a one-skillet meal that is bursting with flavor and can be on the table in 20 minutes. It will keep everyone happy because it fits into Keto, Paleo, Whole30, Weight Watchers and Low Carb lifestyles!
Brown Sugar Meatloaf – is the best meatloaf ever! It is even better than Mom’s meatloaf with its brown sugar, onion soup mix, Worcestershire and hot sauce!
Texas Tamale Pie – makes a delicious casserole with a saucy ground beef filling, and an awesome cornbread casserole.
Other Beef And Rice Recipes You May Like
Beef Tips and Rice – with sauteed onions and peppers covered in a savory gravy, made in a dutch oven or crockpot, make an easy, delicious, and hearty dinner your family will love.
Porcupine Meatballs – Seasoned meatballs enriched with long grain rice cooked in my secret ingredient tomato sauce. Comfort food the whole family loves!
Taco Rice Bowl – by Life Tastes Good – On the table in just 30 minutes, this Taco Rice Bowl is perfect for a quick meal any night of the week and leftovers make for a satisfying lunch too!
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Recipe
Mexican Beef And Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 1/2 onion , chopped
- 1 green bell pepper , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 3 Tablespoons taco seasoning (either 1 store-bought packet or homemade)
- 1-1/2 cups red salsa
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup corn , drained
- 1 (16-ounce) can black beans , drained
- 1 (4-ounce) can green chilies
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups shredded Mexican Blend Cheese (Cheddar, Monterrey Jack)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook the chopped onion, and bell pepper in oil for about 5 minutes or until the onion and bell pepper are softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Add the ground beef and cook for another 5 minutes. After the ground beef is cooked, drain the extra grease.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the cooked ground beef and stir until the ground beef is covered with the taco seasoning.
- After the ground beef is seasoned and cooked, add the drained corn, black beans, salsa, tomato paste, and green chilies and stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dish.
- Add the uncooked rice and beef broth.
- Cover and bring the rice mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 18 minutes.
- Sprinkle shredded Mexican Cheese over the casserole. Cover for about 3 to 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
- Garnish with chopped tomatoes, green onions, or cilantro. Serve hot!
AK in California says
I made this for dinner last night exactly as your recipe specified, garnished with a diced roma, cilantro, and served with tortilla chips. It came out just as your pictures showed and so satisfying. My husband wants to get some flour tortillas to roll up some burritos with the leftovers. It does make a lot!
Michele says
Hi AK,
I’m so happy that you and your husband liked it! That’s a good idea to make burritos.
Thanks,
Michele
Cassie says
Question – We are 2 seniors with smaller appetites so wonder if this can be frozen?
Michele says
Hi Cassie,
Yes, you can freeze leftovers in a freezer safe airtight container or bag for up to 3 months. Also, if you click on the number of servings in the recipe card at the bottom of the blog post (just above the comments), you can change the number of servings, and it will adjust the amount of each ingredient that you need. If you try it, let me know how you like it.
Thanks,
Michele
Cassie says
Thank you for your response! I’m in the process of making this for dinner tonight.
Michele says
Hi Cassie,
That’s great. I hope you liked it.
Michele
Joanna says
food was good, just needed water.