Description
This Easy Taco Rice Casserole is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal combining seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, Rotel tomatoes with green chiles, and cheesy Spanish rice. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses simple ingredients and comes together in just 30 minutes to serve 6 hearty portions.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef (If you use an 80/20 mixture, be sure to drain the grease.)
- 1 onion, diced
- 15 ounce can black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn (or canned fiesta corn, drained)
- 10 ounce can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chiles)
- 8 ounce packet instant Spanish rice
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 ounces taco seasoning (about 1.5 packets)
- 2 cups shredded cheese
Optional Garnishes
- Sliced green onions
- Cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced olives
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Brown the beef and onions: Over medium heat in a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onions until the beef is no longer pink. Once cooked, drain any excess grease to keep the dish lean.
- Cook the instant rice: While the meat is cooking, prepare the instant Spanish rice according to the package instructions. Set cooked rice aside when done.
- Combine main ingredients: Add the drained black beans, Rotel tomatoes with green chiles, corn, and cooked instant rice to the skillet with the beef and onions. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add seasoning and simmer: Pour in the water and sprinkle the taco seasoning over the mixture. Mix well, then let everything simmer on medium-low heat for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Add cheese and melt: Stir in half of the shredded cheese into the skillet mixture. Then top with the remaining cheese and cover the skillet with a lid. This will help melt the cheese evenly and quickly.
- Serve with garnishes: Remove the skillet from heat. Serve immediately topped with optional garnishes such as sliced green onions, cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced olives, and a dollop of sour cream to enhance flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Drain excess grease for a leaner meal especially when using fattier ground beef.
- Adjust spice level by using mild or hot Rotel and taco seasoning as desired.
- Use canned corn if preferred, but be sure to drain it well before adding.
- The dish can be customized by substituting ground turkey or chicken for beef.
- For a vegetarian version, omit meat and use plant-based protein or extra beans.
- Leftovers reheat well in a microwave or on stovetop and can be stored in the fridge up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
