Description
A flavorful and hearty one-pan Mexican rice casserole featuring ground beef, black beans, corn, and melted cheese. This easy, comforting dish combines spices and simple ingredients into a satisfying weeknight meal perfect for the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
- 1½ cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 cup corn, frozen or canned and drained
- 1½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Cook the beef and onion: In a large oven-safe skillet or deep sauté pan, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5–7 minutes. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Sauté garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add remaining ingredients: Add the uncooked rice, black beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, broth, corn, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer until rice is tender: Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook gently for 18–20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Melt the cheese: Remove the pan from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top, then cover again and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve: Scoop the casserole onto plates and top with optional sour cream, cilantro, and sliced jalapeños if desired. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter alternative.
- For a spicier dish, use hot Rotel tomatoes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- This is a one-pan recipe, making cleanup quick and easy.
- Ensure the skillet or sauté pan used is oven-safe if you prefer to finish melting the cheese under a broiler instead of covering and resting on the stove.
