Description
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.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg