Description
Hearty one pot mexican rice casserole blends savory ingredients for a comforting meal. Mexican spices and tender ingredients combine in a simple, satisfying dish that invites you to savor each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 ¾ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen corn (or canned corn, drained)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Thoroughly brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking into small crumbles and draining excess fat for a lean foundation.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic with the meat until vegetables become translucent, releasing their fragrant essence.
- Flavor Infusion: Add uncooked rice and spices, gently toasting to amplify depth and complexity, allowing ingredients to develop a rich, robust profile.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth into the skillet, then mix in black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and corn kernels, ensuring even distribution and complete rice submersion.
- Cooking Process: Bring to a rapid boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until rice becomes tender, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
- Cheese Finale: Generously sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the surface, creating a molten, golden blanket that adds creamy richness to the casserole.
- Garnish and Serve: Crown the dish with freshly chopped cilantro, offering a vibrant, herbaceous contrast. Serve immediately while cheese remains delicately melted and flavors are at their peak.
Notes
- Meat Precision: Brown ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat to prevent a greasy, heavy dish and ensure a clean, rich flavor profile.
- Spice Awakening: Toast spices with rice before adding liquid to unlock deeper, more complex flavor notes and enhance overall taste intensity.
- Liquid Balance: Ensure rice is completely submerged in broth to guarantee even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked grains.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle cheese at the end and cover briefly to create a perfectly melted, golden topping without overcooking or burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg