Some nights, you need an easy dinner that can come together with little fuss. Say hello to this Taco Rice Casserole. It's a hearty meal that even picky eaters enjoy. With seasoned beef, beans, rice, and all popular taco flavors, this might just become one of your favorite casserole recipes!
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Why You'll Love This Casserole
- Family-approved: Since everyone loves taco night, this dish, with classic taco flavors, is always popular!
- Easy cleanup: Just one skillet and a baking dish keep the mess to a minimum.
- Makes great leftovers: This reheats well for lunch or dinner the next day.
- Budget-friendly: Made with canned beans, tomatoes, and rice.
- Perfect for busy weeknights: Takes just 15 minutes to prep.
The Best Easy Casseroles
Looking for simple casseroles that are delicious and come together quickly? Whether you're feeding a hungry family or saving leftovers for tomorrow, these casseroles are among our most popular, as they are reliable, no-fuss options that always hit the spot.
- Cheese Potato Casserole
- Ham and Asparagus Casserole Recipe
- Chicken Cornbread Casserole Recipe
- Meatball Casserole Recipe
Ingredients For Ground Beef Taco Casserole
- Ground beef: A protein packed hearty base.
- Onion: Gives flavor and aroma to the beef mixture.
- Canned corn: For sweetness and texture.
- Black beans: Helps to make the dish more filling.
- Diced tomatoes: Adds moisture and flavor.
- Green chiles: A little heat without being too spicy.
- Minute rice: This cooks up quickly and soaks up flavor while baking.
- Water: To cook the rice right in the casserole dish.
- Taco seasoning: Ties everything together.
- Cheddar cheese: For that gooey, cheesy topping.
- Cilantro and sour cream: Optional, but yummy for topping.
Kitchen Tools For Easy Taco Rice Bake
To pull this dinner together with minimal effort, you'll want to have these kitchen basics handy. From a sturdy skillet for browning the beef to a 9x13 baking dish that holds it all, these tools make weeknight cooking a lot more manageable.
How To Make Cheesy Taco Rice Casserole
1. Brown beef and onion: Cook ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium heat. Break it apart as it cooks. Once browned, drain off any grease.
2. Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in corn, beans, tomatoes, green chiles, taco seasoning, rice, and water. Mix until evenly combined.
3. Mix in the cheese: Fold in half of the shredded cheese.
4. Spread and add cheese: Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish and smooth it out. Sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese on top.
5. Bake: Bake at 350°F for about 25 minutes or until the rice is tender and the cheese is bubbly. Let it sit for 5 minutes after baking.
6. Add toppings and serve: Sprinkle chopped cilantro (optional) on top and serve with a dollop of sour cream.
Tips For Taco Casserole with Rice
Tip 1: Use minute rice, not regular rice - otherwise it won't fully cook in the oven.
Tip 2: Drain the corn and green chiles before adding them.
Tip 3: For more spice, add a little cayenne or spicy taco seasoning.
FAQs For Taco Rice Bake
Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to the baking stage and refrigerate it for up to a day. Simply bake it when you're ready to serve.
Ground turkey or ground chicken works well, too. This is a very versatile recipe!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat this in the microwave until warmed through.
Casseroles Made With Rice
If you're looking for more simple meals using rice, there are plenty of great casserole options to try. This Lemon Chickpea Rice Casserole is a plant-based option that's super yummy. For something heartier, the Savory Sausage and Apple Rice Casserole brings together sweet and savory flavors in a comforting dish.
The WW Rice and Beans Casserole is perfect for a lighter, budget-friendly meal, and this Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole is a classic that's always a family favorite.
Taco Rice Casserole is one of those meals you will come back to when dinner needs to be quick and filling. Hope this recipe helps make your week a little easier!
📖 Recipe
Taco Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ⅓ cup chopped onion
- 15.25 oz canned corn drained
- 15 oz canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes undrained
- 4 oz canned diced green chiles drained
- 1 cup minute rice
- 1 cup water
- 1 oz taco seasoning packet
- 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese divided
- Chopped cilantro and sour cream for topping optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Add corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, green chiles, rice, water, and taco seasoning. Stir until well mixed.
- Fold in half of the shredded cheese.
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until rice is cooked and cheese is melted.
- Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve with sour cream if desired.
Notes
- Use minute rice so it actually cooks in the oven - regular rice won't cut it.
- Drain the corn and green chiles or the casserole can get a little soupy.
- Like it spicy? Add cayenne or swap in spicy taco seasoning.
- Want to save time? Prep the beef mix earlier and stash it in the fridge until dinner.
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