Description
Spicy Mexican casserole layers bold flavors with hearty ingredients, creating a comforting meal that brings southwest charm to dinner tables. Perfect for family gatherings, you’ll savor each cheesy, zesty bite of this crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can corn
Cheese and Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 2 chopped green onions
- 1 diced tomato
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 jalapeño, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prepare for the casserole assembly.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then brown the ground beef, breaking it into crumbly pieces until no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the beef and stir in the taco seasoning, mixing thoroughly to coat the meat with robust flavor profiles.
- Layer the cooked rice as the first foundation in the prepared baking dish, creating an even base for the subsequent ingredients.
- Spread the seasoned ground beef evenly over the rice layer, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Distribute black beans and corn across the meat layer, creating a vibrant and textured landscape of ingredients.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the bean and corn layer, allowing for a melty, golden blanket.
- Dollop salsa strategically across the cheese layer, providing bursts of tangy complexity.
- Add the remaining cheese on top, creating a complete dairy coverage.
- Garnish with diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, jalapeños, and cilantro for fresh, zesty accents.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and edges appear golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes, then serve with a generous swirl of sour cream on top.
- Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting jalapeño quantities or selecting mild to spicy salsa varieties to match personal preference.
- Transform this dish into a gluten-free option by using certified gluten-free taco seasoning and ensuring all ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- Enhance protein content by substituting ground beef with lean turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for diverse dietary needs.
- Create make-ahead convenience by preparing the casserole up to the baking stage, then refrigerating for up to 24 hours before cooking, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg