Description
Whip up this Mexican casserole for a family-friendly dinner that brings zesty flavors straight to your table. Layers of seasoned meat, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas make this hearty dish a weeknight winner that everyone will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- 1–3 / 4 cups canned diced no salt added tomatoes, undrained
Cheese and Seasoning:
- 1–1 / 2 cups Cracker Barrel Shredded Creamy Mexicana Cheese, divided
- 1 pkg. 40% Less Sodium Taco Seasoning
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup mixed frozen vegetables (carrots, corn, peas)
- 1 cup of salsa
- 1 cup 25% less sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to a toasty 375°F, getting ready for a flavor-packed Mexican casserole adventure.
- Grab a large non-stick skillet and brown 1 lb of extra lean ground beef until it’s beautifully caramelized and fragrant.
- Set aside 1 cup of shredded Mexicana cheese for later. Toss the remaining ½ cup of cheese into the skillet with the beef.
- Add 1 package of taco seasoning, 1 cup of uncooked long grain white rice, 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables, 1-¾ cups of diced tomatoes, 1 cup of salsa, and 1 cup of chicken broth to the skillet.
- Stir everything together until the ingredients are well combined and look deliciously mixed.
- Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Transfer the entire skillet mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover it tightly with foil.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, letting the rice become perfectly tender.
- After the initial baking time, sprinkle the reserved 1 cup of cheese on top of the casserole.
- Return the uncovered dish to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt into a golden, irresistible topping.
Notes
- Check the meat’s doneness before combining with other ingredients, ensuring it’s fully cooked and crumbled.
- Use a digital thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches 160°F for ground beef safety.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or lean ground beef and choose low-fat cheese options.
- Prepare this casserole ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating, then baking when ready to serve, which can save time during busy evenings.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 45-55 min
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 271 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg