One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole is a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s packed with bold spices, tender ground beef, and perfectly cooked rice, all in one pot! This dish is ideal for busy weeknights when you want a hearty, home-cooked meal without the hassle of multiple dishes.
The combination of savory beef, zesty tomatoes, and warm spices creates a casserole that’s both satisfying and bursting with Mexican-inspired flavors. It’s topped with melted cheese, adding a creamy finish to this comforting and delicious dish. If you’re looking for a one-pot wonder that’s easy to make and incredibly tasty, this Mexican Rice Casserole is the perfect choice. Plus, it’s versatile enough to be customized with your favorite ingredients!
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Large pot or deep skillet with a lid
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Directions
- Cook the Ground Beef:
- In a large pot or deep skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat.
- Sauté the Vegetables:
- Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot with the ground beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the Rice and Seasonings:
- Stir in the rice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the rice to lightly toast and absorb the flavors.
- Add the Tomatoes, Beans, and Broth:
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cook the Casserole:
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Finish with Cheese:
- Once the rice is cooked, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Cover the pot again and let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve:
- Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired, and serve the casserole hot, straight from the pot. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful meal with a side of tortilla chips, sour cream, or guacamole.
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
35 minutes
Total Time:
50 minutes
Nutrition (per serving):
- Calories: 420
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 42g
- Dietary Fiber: 7g
- Sugars: 5g
- Protein: 24g
This One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food with a kick. It’s easy, delicious, and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd with minimal cleanup required. The bold flavors and cheesy goodness make it a recipe you’ll want to make again and again!
One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole
Equipment
- Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Large pot or deep skillet with a lid
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh cilantro chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot or deep skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat.
- Sauté the Vegetables:
- Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot with the ground beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the Rice and Seasonings:
- Stir in the rice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the rice to lightly toast and absorb the flavors.
- Add the Tomatoes, Beans, and Broth:
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cook the Casserole:
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Finish with Cheese:
- Once the rice is cooked, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Cover the pot again and let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve:
- Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired, and serve the casserole hot, straight from the pot. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful meal with a side of tortilla chips, sour cream, or guacamole.
- Prep Time:
- 15 minutes
- Cook Time:
- 35 minutes
- Total Time:
- 50 minutes
- Nutrition (per serving):
- Calories: 420
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 42g
- Dietary Fiber: 7g
- Sugars: 5g
- Protein: 24g
- This One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food with a kick. It’s easy, delicious, and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd with minimal cleanup required. The bold flavors and cheesy goodness make it a recipe you’ll want to make again and again!
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