Description
Ina Garten’s One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole brings comfort and zest to dinner tables with its hearty blend of spices and textures. Layers of rice, beans, and cheese create a satisfying meal that promises warmth and flavor in each delightful spoonful you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 cup (185 grams) long grain white rice
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 15 ounces (425 grams) can of corn, drained
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquids and Sauces:
- 1 ½ cups (355 milliliters) beef broth
- 8 ounces (226 grams) tomato sauce
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) salsa
Instructions
- Heat a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, sautéing ground beef and finely diced onions with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook thoroughly until the meat loses its pink coloration and browns evenly, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Eliminate excess fat by carefully draining the skillet, then return it to the stovetop. Sprinkle the beef with aromatic garlic powder and zesty taco seasoning, ensuring the mixture is uniformly coated.
- Introduce uncooked rice directly into the seasoned meat mixture, followed by rich beef broth, sweet corn kernels, robust tomato sauce, and tangy salsa. Gently fold ingredients to create a harmonious blend.
- Elevate the heat momentarily, allowing the mixture to reach a vigorous boil. Immediately reduce temperature to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let the contents simmer quietly for 18-20 minutes until rice becomes tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
- Generously distribute shredded cheese across the surface, then re-cover the skillet. Allow residual heat to melt the cheese completely, creating a smooth, appetizing topping that takes 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- Cheese melts best when added off direct heat, preventing separation and ensuring smooth, creamy texture.
- Resting allows rice to absorb remaining moisture, creating a more cohesive and flavorful dish.
- Low and slow cooking prevents burning and promotes even rice development.
- Long-grain white rice provides ideal texture and absorbs seasonings more effectively than shorter varieties.
- Consistent liquid levels guarantee perfectly cooked, tender rice without dryness or mushiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg