Tex-Mex Beef Rice Casserole (Printable)

Savory Tex-Mex beef combined with rice, beans, and cheese baked in a flavorful tomato sauce.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Grains

06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked

→ Sauces & Liquids

07 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
08 - 1 cup beef broth
09 - 1/2 cup tomato sauce

→ Dairy

10 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 2 tsp chili powder
12 - 1 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
15 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Garnishes

17 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Sliced jalapeños
19 - Sour cream

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and drain excess fat as needed.
03 - Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add uncooked rice, diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, and beef broth; mix thoroughly.
06 - Fold in black beans and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
07 - Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared dish.
08 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
09 - Remove foil, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar over the top, and bake uncovered for 10 minutes until cheese melts and rice is tender.
10 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving; garnish with cilantro, jalapeños, and sour cream as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort
  • Customizable with your favorite toppings and mix-ins
02 -
  • This casserole is naturally gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free ingredients
  • Dairy is present in the cheese and optional sour cream, always check labels if allergies exist
03 -
  • Let the casserole rest before serving to help it set and make scooping easier
  • Prepare ingredients and assemble the dish ahead for a quicker weeknight meal
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