Mexican Rice Casserole
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 by Pam
An old friend used to make this Mexican rice casserole for me all the time. I started craving it the other day and decided to try and recreate it myself. We had friends coming for dinner and I figured this would be a great meal for a large group. My friend would use a can of Mexican tomato sauce that was really spicy but it wouldn't be good for the four kids eating dinner so I opted to use regular tomato sauce. (If you aren't serving kids, I recommend the spicy tomato sauce for added flavor and kick). I also decided to throw in some black beans, cilantro and extra seasonings. It turned out really delicious - we all loved it (except for my daughter - picky kid). I topped it with sour cream but also served it with salsa and guacamole on the side. It was quick and easy to make and there was little clean up. I served this casserole with my Southwestern Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette and they paired nicely together.
Mexican Rice Casserole:
- 1 1/2 cups of white rice, prepared per instructions
- 1 tsp of olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef (I used 96/4)
- 1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2-1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- 1 15 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
- 3-4 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (divided)
- 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 3-4 tomatoes, sliced thickly
- Sour cream (topping)
- Salsa (topping)
- Guacamole (topping)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare rice per instructions. While the rice is cooking heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the ground beef, making sure to break it up into crumbles. Cook the beef for 3-4 minutes then add the diced onion and all of the seasonings. Stir until well combined and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the beef is cooked through and the onion is tender. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly for an additional 60 seconds. Add the cooked rice, drained and rinsed black beans, tomato sauce and a bit of cilantro (reserving some for garnishing) to the beef and onion mixture. Mix the ingredients thoroughly, taste and re-season if needed.
Coat a large baking dish with cooking spray and pour the rice mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly. Place the tomato slices on top of the rice mixture then top with cheddar cheese.
Spray a piece of tin foil with cooking spray (so the cheese won't stick) and cover the baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes then remove the tin foil. Bake for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing. Top with a dollop of sour cream and the remaining chopped cilantro. Enjoy.
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ooh pam - all of the dishes you create look so good. and i've noticed that incredibly talented, foodie moms tend to have picky kids - until the kids get older. my grandmother was a great chef and she taught my mother (who is amazing), but i was the pickiest little girl! i went through a "hot dog only" phase during elementary! haha.
I have made a lot of Mexican dishes but never one like this! It looks great, I'll have to try it!
The problem I am running into right now is that I never can take the time to try other recipes because I keep trying to come up with stuff to put on my blog! Does this happen to you too?
Delicious! Looks like lot of ingredients, but well worth making it.
I love to have recipes like this on hand when my grandsons come to visit. Summer will be here before I know it.
Many seasonings! Great! You really make me mouth-watering :)
This is great, i'm gonna do some of the stuff
Ooooh now that looks yummy!
I just love that last picture of all the melted cheese with the tomato!
This looks fantastic and delicious! I am going to try it, I make a casserole similar to this only with Mac and Cheese, but we love rice too! I can sympathize with picky kid... we have one of those too, she doesn't eat anything hardly...unless she gets real hungry! Great blog and beautiful pictures!
Seriously, why don't you try your hand at writing an e-book with Mexican recipes??You are such a pro!!!
It's been years since I've done a Mexican casserole. I love your version!
Cheesy maxican flavoured rice...mmm...
You are becoming the Mexican cooking Diva.. all your dishes look so delicious, I have so many Id like to try..this one is no exception.
Another great looking dish Pam. It sounds wonderful. I know that I would love it...
this one is something truly different and new to me... looks great too... :)
I'm drooling...
I could eat this for breakfast! This looks AMAZING, as all of your dishes do!
This looks wonderful - I love the cheesy topping!
Mmm, sounds great. I am loving that shot with the oozy cheese over the tomatoes... mmmmm..
I am always in the mood for Mexican!
Ohh Pam that looks soo good, I am going to have to make it!
This looks awsome, My husband and oldest daughter are such rice freaks and they also love Southwestern cooking. This would be perfect for them. Heck, I'd love a big bowl of it right now! Wonderful creation Pam!
I lvoe this idea but I would have served it as a side dish. I find it intersting you served it as a main. It must be really filling then.
The tomatos in this dish look amazing!!
Print!
you and this mexican food! you seriously need to open a lunch joint that serves all your mexican dishes. I mean seriously!
I love your Mexican Rice Casserole. I've had it before and it's really delicious. I've also made it with seasoned chicken. Your pictures are so scrumptious!
Your recipes are amazing and I love your blog! I signed up with Blogspot just to send you a comment - I am in Ottawa, ON, Canada and tell all of my friends to read your blog and try your recipes - You are a supermom! I truly think you need to find a publisher and an agent to get a cookbook and a tv program!
I went and gave it a shot, and I'm not too fond of the tomatoes on the top. They don't seem to fit in with the baked cheesy goodness, but the rest was dee-li-shuss!
Michael.
This looks delicious! You know I can't get enough Tex Mex!
OMG, this was good!!! I am so lucky to have had this from the chef herself. My family and I enjoyed it so much I'm going to have to put it on the rotation:)
Oh my, this looks so cheesey and delicous! All your Mexican dishes look so good, I love Mexican food.
I do something very similar but I layer corn tortillas. Have to try it with rice though.
Pictures look beautiful and I love the addition of the whole tomatoes on top. Going to have to steal that idea (of course credit will be given).
Could always take my grandma's philosophy on picky eaters which is you don't like it you don't eat :-)
this looks amazing, i would love it for lunch right now :)
Another amazing looking dish. What lucky friends!
Pam, this looks so good and easy to make. Don't you love to throw in a casserole when your having people over so you can enjoy them and not be stuck in the kitchen?
I always know I can count on you to make something amazing. I love this casserole, it has so many of my favorite flavors.
this would certainly be a great meal for a large group. or for me. by myself. once again, i love it. :)
The return of pickydaughter! :) Oh, I'm sure she is just being proud-- how can you not love something so fabulous? Hmm, if I were her age, I think I would have enjoyed it more *with* the super-spicy sauce, but I'm weird that way, I guess! :)
I practically screamed in excitement. In the office. With a room full of sports writers. You have NO idea how much this appeals to me...
Pam- you know how much I love mexican cuisine. This is an awesome mouthwatering rice casserole
Simply delish. And totally filling and comforting.
I'm so happy you have a picky kid, too. At least I'm not alone. This looks good with the tomatoes on top.
Wow, what a delicious dish, and beautiful photos as well.
Cheers,
elra
Yee-haw!! I have been looking for this recipe for many years. As a kid, (when schools had real cafeteria's) this was one of my favorite meals. I think this is it!
I cannot wait to make this! Like you, I love Mexican food. Then again, it's 50% of my D.N.A.
Thanks!
Oh my goodness. This is really gorgeous and has everything I love. Thanks!!!!
Yum! I will be trying this one soon.
This looks great and I love the sliced tomatoes on top covered by the cheese. Mmm!
You always have beautiful dishes on your blog.
I love Mexican casseroles! This looks delicious!
And can you tell me how you do the printable recipe link thing? Do you manually maintain the mirror site with plain text versions of the recipes or do you have some kind of program, macro, etc that does it for you?
Chris,
I created a whole seperate, very plain, blog that I copy and paste the recipe to. I then put a link on my original blog to the plain printable recipe blog. I do it manually - but it's not hard. Hope this helps.
ohhh. nick and i would just adore this and finish the whole pan. yum!
Oh, it looks so good and I love all the cheese (of course!).
Pam, my family loved this recipe! I used brown rice and El Pato tomato sauce. Wow! Very good. It's in my lunch box for tomorrow...what few leftovers there are!
I love to have recipes like this on hand when my grandsons come to visit. Summer will be here before I know it.
You've done it again! This looks amazing!
Hi Pam
Absolutely gorgeous and divine.
Beautiful photos. I kept your recipe.
Fantastic x
I am so DAMN excited to make this one!! Adding the ingredients to my shopping list now!!
This looks so good. Melt in your mouth, creamy deliciousness, so good.
Pam this looks great. I make a "spanish" rice that I add seasoned ground beef to but never thought to make a casserole out of it! Thanks!
~ingrid
This looks wonderful! My husband would love me even more if I made this....I'm going to try it out!
;) amy
Hi Pam,
I made this two nights ago. It was really good. I especially liked the tomato slices on top. Have a great weekend!
whoa, that looks fantastic
Great photos! Looks fantastic...Yumm!
oh this looks heavenly!!
Hi Pam, I made this tonight and my husband couldn't get enough! It was delicious. The cilantro and fresh tomatoes on top made the dish. Love it!
Thanks
Kathleen H
Bloomington IN
Ooo this looks awesome!
I made this last night and it was absolutely delicous. I used brown rice instead of white. My teen boys couldn't get enough of it. Love the tomatoes on top. Thanks for sharing.
I just pulled this out of the oven and it looks delicious. I thought I would submit my comment while it cools in hopes that it will allow the cheese on top to cool and not burn my mouth! Otherwise, I'd be shoving down burning hot ummy casserole right now!
Thanks for the great post.
I have been following your blog for a while and finally made this dish last night along with the Southwestern Salad with Cilantro lime vinaigrette. The entire meal was amazing!! My husband loved it and I will be making again very soon. Can't wait to try one of your other recipes.
I have made this several times now and it is always a big hit with the family. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! This looks muy delicious.
Hi Pam
I cooked your lovely Mexican rice casserole and it was a huge success.
Many thanks for your recipe, its now posted on Magic Flavours.
Have a great day x
Hi Pam! I made your casserole the night before last and put it up on the blog. It was awesome! :0)
I made it tonight and it was wonderful. My family loved it, even my son-WOW! Thanks, I will be checking your blog often.
We loved it...thanx so much