Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

This easy Mexican ground beef casserole recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal! It’s a hearty, comforting, and delicious casserole.

Are you looking for an easy and delicious Mexican-inspired dish to make for dinner tonight? Then look no further than this Mexican Ground Beef Casserole! It’s simple to put together, and the end result is a hearty and comforting meal that everyone will love.

Mexican food is always a hit with families, and this recipe for a Mexican ground beef casserole is no exception. It’s easy to make, hearty, and flavorful. Plus, it’s perfect for feeding a large crowd or for meal planning – enjoy this delicious casserole all week long.

Casseroles are the ultimate comfort food, and they’re perfect for busy weeknights. This Mexican Ground Beef Casserole is one of our family favourites—it’s easy to make, and it’s always a hit with my picky eaters. If you’re looking for a hearty and comforting dinner dish, this recipe is definitely worth trying.

So if you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal that everyone will love, give this Mexican ground beef casserole a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Why You Will LOVE this Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

• Easy to make
• Loads of gooey melted cheese
• Delicious taco flavours!
• Super comforting dish.
• Versatile recipe – use what you have on hand!
• Hearty casserole filled with meat, veggies, and rice.
• Can be prepared ahead of time
• Freezes well
• It’s the ultimate Mexican casserole!

What Rice is Best for Casseroles?

When it comes to casseroles, there are many different types of rice that can be used. However, long grain, white rice is the best option as it doesn’t become sticky or mushy when baked. If you want to use quick rice instead, and risk a mushy texture, you will need to adjust the amount of broth used according to package directions.

Avoid using brown rice as it will take significantly longer to cook and may not have the same texture as white rice.

If you are looking for a heartier casserole, consider using a wild rice blend. This type of rice is slightly chewy with a nutty flavor that pairs well with the ground beef and vegetables in this dish. Just like quick rice, you will need to increase the amount of broth used according to package directions.

Tips for the BEST Mexican Beef Casserole

• Measure all your ingredients accurately so that the rice cooks through properly.
• Go ahead and use the cheapest ground beef you can find. We brown it and drain the fat off before baking!
• Remember that cooking time can vary depending on the dish you use. Just keep your eye on it to make sure the rice isn’t overcooked or under-cooked.
• Make sure you use long grain rice for the best results. Jasmine, or Basmati rice work well too.
• Make sure you brown your meat first, do not cook the casserole with raw beef.
• Shred your own cheese. Packaged shredded cheese have additives to keep it from clumping which also affects its ability to melt. Plus the flavour doesn’t tend to be a good.

What to Serve with this Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

This casserole is a full meal itself, but to stretch the meal or feed a crowd, serve with the following:

Breads – Basic cornbread muffins, Jalapeño Cheddar Bread, and Green Chile & Cheddar Bread with a bit of butter are tasty sides with this casserole.

Salads – Serve with a simple green salad or a delicious pasta salad like my Mexican Macaroni Salad Recipe.

Dessert – Finish off the meal with a light dessert like my Honey Lime Fruit Salad or something comforting and chocolatey like my Chocolate Pots de Crème.

I like to serve this Mexican inspired casserole with fresh tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and tortilla chips

Ground Beef & Rice Casserole Variations

The options are endless when you use this recipe as inspiration for your own creation! Try some of this variations:

• Swap the ground beef for ground chicken, ground turkey, ground pork, or even crumbled sausage meat.
• Add more vegetables. Zucchini, cauliflower, black olives, green onions, green chillies, or jalapenos would all work well here.
• Make it spicy. Use hot taco seasoning, and throw in some fresh diced jalapeno for a tasty kick.
• Make it creamier. Stir in 8 oz of cream cheese for a cheesier, creamier casserole.
• Add a crunchy topping of crushed corn tortillas.
• Make it vegetarian. Use vegetable broth and swamp the ground meat for chickpeas.

Can the Casserole be Assembled Ahead of Time?

Yes! Absolutely! Prepare and assemble the casserole right up and until the baking part. Instead allow the casserole to completely cook, then cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.

You could do this a day or two ahead of time, then follow the baking instructions when ready to heat and serve.

If baking from the fridge you may need to bake the casserole 5-10 minutes longer than directed.

How to Store Leftover Ground Beef Casserole

This casserole can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. I recommend storing it in an airtight container or covered with foil.

To reheat, simply place the casserole dish in a 350 degree oven until it is warmed through. You may need to add a little broth to the dish if it looks dry.

Can You Freeze this Ground Beef and Rice Casserole?

Yes, this ground beef casserole is perfect for freezing!

To freeze, simply assemble the casserole as instructed, then freeze it unbaked. Once cooled, wrap the casserole dish in plastic wrap and foil. Then label and freeze for up to 3 months.

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Remove foil and plastic wrap, then put the foil back on and bake the casserole from frozen for an hour.

If you don’t want your baking pan in the freezer, use a disposable foil pan to prepare the casserole.

About the Equipment Needed

This recipe doesn’t require any special kitchen tools – just a skillet to to cook the beef mixture, and a 9×13 inch casserole pan to bake it all in.

You will of course also need measuring cups and spoons, cooking utensils, a cutting board, knife, and a cheese grater.

About the Ingredients for Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Oil – You can use any neutral flavoured oil with a high smoke point. Olive oil or canola oil are good,

Beef – You can use ground beef with any level of fat as we are draining it off anyway. I like to use medium ground beef because it is cheaper but you can start with lean ground beef if you prefer.

Onion – Use yellow or white onion here.

Bell pepper – You can use any combination of sweet bell peppers here. I used one green and one red for the mixture of colour and sweetness as green pepper tends to be less sweet than red pepper.

Garlic – Use press garlic for the best flavour. You can substitute with garlic powder in a pinch.

Seasoning – Use packaged taco seasoning or your favourite taco seasoning recipe. Use hot taco seasoning if you want a spicy casserole, or add your own additional chili powder or cayenne pepper.

Rice – Any long grain rice is fine. Avoid brown rice as it takes a lot longer to cook.

Broth – I used chicken broth as it has a lighter flavour than beef broth but you can substitute with beef broth if you prefer.

Black beans – You can substitute with canned kidney beans, black-eyed peas, or pinto beans.

Corn – You can substitute with fresh corn or frozen if necessary.

Tomatoes – You can substitute with fresh diced roma tomatoes, you may need to add additional salt if you go that way as canned tomatoes are salted.

Salt – Brings out all the flavours.

Cheese – I use a mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey jack. You can use pepper jack instead if you want a bit of a kick.

Looking for More Easy Casserole Recipes?

Check out more easy casseroles for weekday dinners!

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It’s easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

This John Wayne Casserole recipe is easy to make and results in a hearty, comforting casserole dish with loads of south-west flavour!

This Skillet Pizza Pasta Casserole is a one pot dish perfect for family dinner, this is food for kids that adults will love too.

How to Make Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Yields: 6-8 Servings | Prep time: 10 Minutes | Cook time:

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound medium ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (1.25-ounce) package taco seasoning
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can corn kernels, drained
1 (10-ounce can) diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish and set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, then pour in the oil.

Add ground beef, and cook until nearly cooked through. Drain excess fat.

Add onion and half of the bell pepper, cook until softened and beef browned.

Stir in garlic and taco seasoning to the cooked ground beef mixture.

Remove from heat, and pour into the prepared baking dish,

Stir in rice, broth, beans, tomatoes, corn, salt and pepper, and half the cheese then cover the baking dish with foil, and bake for 45 minutes or until rice is cooked.

Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Bake another 5 minutes, or until cheese has melted.

Garnish with remaining diced bell peppers and serve immediately.

This Mexican flavoured ground beef casserole is easy, delicious, and perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just your own family, this dish is sure to please.

So what are you waiting for? If you try this easy Mexican casserole recipe let us know what you think!