Mexican Rice Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Brimming with vibrant flavors and hearty textures, this Mexican Rice Casserole recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Combining fluffy rice, seasoned ground meat, colorful vegetables, and melted cheese under one bubbling casserole dish, it brings the essence of Mexican comfort food right to your table. It’s easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights, and can feed a group—making it an excellent choice for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Why This Mexican Rice Casserole Stands Out

What sets this casserole apart is its incredible depth of flavor and its adaptability. You can adjust the spice level, swap proteins, or add extra veggies to suit your taste. Each bite is a harmonious mix of savory meat, aromatic rice, melty cheese, and a medley of classic Mexican spices. Serve it once, and it’s sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation!

Prepping Perfect Ingredients for Your Casserole

For efficiency and consistency in your chopping, use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for quickly dicing onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Freshly cut vegetables will deliver better flavor and texture than pre-cut options. For the rice, choose long-grain white rice for a more traditional outcome, ensuring it stays fluffy rather than mushy after baking.

Cooking the meat is seamless when using a nonstick skillet like the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch, which helps brown your protein evenly and makes cleanup easy.

Layering and Baking the Casserole

Once all your ingredients are prepped, layering them ensures every serving has a balanced combination. Start with a layer of rice, followed by seasoned meat and vegetables, then a generous sprinkle of cheese. Repeat until you’ve filled the casserole dish, finishing off with another layer of cheese for a gooey, golden topping.

To prevent sticking and ensure effortless cleanup, line your baking pan with a sheet from the Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll. This not only helps with dish removal but also preserves the presentation when serving.

Serving and Storing Your Mexican Rice Casserole

After baking, let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes so the flavors meld and the servings come out cleanly. If you have leftovers or are meal prepping, store portions in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers to retain freshness and for easy reheating.

For a complete meal, pair servings with a side salad or fresh avocado. The casserole is also excellent packed for lunch in containers like the Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 6 hearty servings, with each portion providing an estimated 400–450 calories depending on ingredients and toppings used. It’s filling enough to serve as a stand-alone main dish yet pairs beautifully with chips, salsa, or a crisp green salad.

Mexican Rice Casserole Recipe Recap

Packed with bold flavors, colorful veggies, and gooey cheese, this Mexican Rice Casserole is a surefire hit for dinner or gatherings. Its make-ahead appeal and versatility make it an essential dish for anyone who loves simple, delicious, and comforting Mexican cuisine.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to dice the onion, bell pepper, and garlic for consistent size and speedy prep.
3. Heat the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking apart with a spatula, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté until softened, about 4 minutes.
5. Stir in the rice and toast for 2 minutes. Then, add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes (with juice), salsa, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
6. Transfer half the mixture to a casserole dish lined with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll. Sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese. Add the remaining mixture and top with the rest of the cheese.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10–15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the rice is tender.
8. Let rest for 10 minutes before topping with chopped cilantro, optional jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream. Use Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for any leftovers.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour