Mexican Rice Casserole

Mexican Rice Casserole is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines rice, seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and cheese. Here’s a simple recipe for you to enjoy:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup chicken or beef broth
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)
• Sour cream and sliced jalapeños for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Rice:
   • Cook the white rice according to package instructions. Set aside.
3. Brown the Ground Beef:
   • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Add Vegetables:
   • Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
5. Season the Mixture:
   • Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the meat and vegetables with the spices.
6. Combine Ingredients:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, seasoned beef and vegetable mixture, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, and chicken or beef broth. Mix until well combined.
7. Transfer to Baking Dish:
   • Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
8. Top with Cheese:
   • Sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese blend over the top of the casserole.
9. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
10. Garnish and Serve:
    • Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped cilantro if desired, and let it cool slightly before serving.
    • Serve with optional toppings like sour cream and sliced jalapeños.

This Mexican Rice Casserole is a flavorful and comforting dish that can be easily customized with your favorite toppings. It’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Enjoy!