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Easy One-Pot Cheesy Mexican Rice Casserole

A close-up of a serving of cheesy mexican rice casserole featuring black beans and corn.

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Make this easy one-pot Mexican rice casserole for a satisfying, cheesy comfort dinner. This recipe uses simple steps to deliver bold Tex-Mex flavor without extra cleanup, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (or ground chicken)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (10 ounce) can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (10 ounce) can mild enchilada sauce
  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (or cheddar)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the Ro-Tel, black beans, enchilada sauce, uncooked rice, chicken broth, taco seasoning, cumin, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid. Do not stir during simmering.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the frozen corn. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the rice mixture.
  7. Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a chicken variation, substitute 1.5 cups of cooked, shredded chicken for half of the ground beef, adding it in step 4 with the liquids.
  • If you do not have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the cooked rice mixture to your prepared baking dish before topping with cheese and baking.
  • Serve this hearty rice bake with sour cream, fresh cilantro, or sliced avocado for extra flavor.

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