Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully for creamy topping, mix cheddar and Mexican blend for complex flavor.
Salt and Pepper: Balances and heightens overall taste, use sparingly and adjust to personal preference.
Tools for Cooking One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole
Large skillet: Essential for browning beef and cooking the entire casserole, preferably with a tight-fitting lid.
Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking during cooking.
Measuring cups: Crucial for accurately measuring rice, broth, and salsa.
Measuring spoons: Needed for precise seasoning measurements like taco seasoning and garlic powder.
Can opener: Required to open tomato sauce and corn can easily.
Cheese grater: Helpful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese.
How to Make One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole
Meat Preparation Ground beef gets a flavor boost with zesty seasonings, creating a tasty base for the casserole.
Rice and Liquid Blend Combine uncooked rice with broth, corn, tomato sauce, and salsa for a vibrant and rich mixture that promises depth of flavor.
Simmering Magic Let the ingredients meld together over low heat, allowing the rice to absorb all the delicious liquid and become perfectly tender.
Cheesy Topping Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese over the hot casserole, letting it melt into a gorgeous golden blanket that adds creamy richness.
Serving Style Scoop the steaming casserole directly from the skillet, creating a rustic and inviting meal that brings comfort and excitement to the dinner table.
One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole Tips & Ideas
Elevate this Mexican rice casserole by adding fresh chopped cilantro or green onions right before serving for a burst of bright, zesty flavor that complements the rich, hearty dish.
Prepare the entire casserole in advance and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to eat, simply reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, adding a splash of extra broth to keep the rice moist.
Swap ground beef with shredded chicken, turkey, or plant-based crumbles for a versatile meal that adapts to different dietary preferences without losing its delicious Mexican-inspired essence.
Control the heat by choosing mild, medium, or hot salsa. For extra kick, sprinkle in some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to match your personal spice tolerance.
Transform any remaining casserole into stuffed peppers by mixing with additional cheese, then baking inside bell pepper halves for a delightful next-day meal that feels completely new and exciting.
Serving Suggestions for One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole
Fiesta Family Feast: Gather everyone around the table and watch faces light up as this colorful Mexican rice casserole takes center stage.
Taco Night Twist: Transform your regular taco night by serving this one-pot wonder as the star of the meal, offering a delicious alternative to traditional taco fillings.
Fresh Topping Explosion: Enhance the dish with vibrant garnishes like chopped cilantro, diced green onions, sliced jalapeños, or a dollop of cool sour cream to add extra layers of flavor and texture.
Protein Power-Up: Customize the meal by substituting ground beef with shredded chicken, turkey, or plant-based meat alternatives to suit different dietary preferences and keep things interesting.
Meal Prep Tips for One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole
Smart Meal Prep Strategies: Cook double batches and refrigerate extra portions for quick weeknight dinners within 3-4 days.
Chilled Storage Technique: Transfer cooled casserole into airtight containers, ensuring complete sealing to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap individual or family-sized portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, lasting up to 2-3 months without quality loss.
Reheating Magic: Thaw refrigerated or frozen portions in microwave, adding small splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent dryness during warming process.
Mexican rice casserole delivers comfort and zest with minimal cleanup. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb (454 g) ground beef
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
1 ½ cups (355 ml) beef broth
8 oz (226 g) tomato sauce
½ cup salsa
15 oz (425 g) canned corn, drained
1 small diced onion
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
2 tbsps taco seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Instructions
Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Drain excess fat and return skillet to stovetop.
Seasoning Infusion: Coat beef with taco seasoning and garlic powder, ensuring even distribution of flavors throughout the meat.
Rice Integration: Introduce uncooked long-grain white rice to the beef mixture, gently stirring to toast the grains and incorporate them seamlessly.
Liquid Fusion: Pour in beef broth, whole kernel corn, tomato sauce, and salsa, stirring thoroughly to create a harmonious blend of ingredients.
Cooking Process: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice reaches perfect tenderness and liquid is completely absorbed.
Cheese Finale: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, replace the lid, and allow cheese to melt completely for 2-3 minutes, creating a luscious, creamy topping.
Serving Technique: Remove from heat and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before serving directly from the skillet to maintain optimal temperature and taste.
Notes
Optimize Meat Browning: Drain excess fat completely to prevent a greasy texture and ensure the meat browns evenly for maximum flavor development.
Seasoning Technique: Toast spices with rice briefly to release aromatic oils, intensifying the overall taste profile of the Mexican casserole.
Liquid Ratio Matters: Use exact measurements of broth and canned ingredients to achieve perfect rice consistency without becoming too dry or soggy.
Resting Time is Crucial: Allow the casserole to sit covered for 5 minutes after cooking to let flavors meld and rice absorb remaining moisture, creating a more cohesive dish.
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.
Michael Reynolds
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.