Mexican Casserole {The Greatest Wholesome Mexican Casserole} – Effectively Plated

If Mexican meals all the time appears like a good suggestion in your own home the best way it does in ours, then this final Mexican Casserole is a should in your meal plan this week! It combines pantry staples with contemporary elements for that wealthy, tacky Southwest sensation that we by no means appear to cease craving.

Simple Tacky Mexican Casserole With Rice

Due to major elements which can be typically available at residence – brown rice, canned beans and tomatoes, and cheese – this recipe is the top of straightforward and wholesome consolation meals.

This Mexican casserole with rice is an effective Mexican dish as a result of it depends on traditional Mexican flavors, however with a wholesome spin (like Taco Salad!).

It requires lean floor beef, entire grain brown rice, and Greek yogurt as an alternative of bitter cream. Additionally, by utilizing fully-flavored cheeses (hiya, sharp cheddar) you possibly can pack extra taste whereas utilizing much less.

This family-friendly recipe is tailored from my exceptionally well-liked Mexican Rooster Casserole. That recipe requires quinoa and cubed boneless, skinless hen breast.

For right this moment’s Mexican casserole, I used to be hungry for one thing extra old-fashioned and picked up inspiration from one of the iconic, universally beloved Tex-Mex recipes of all of them: 7 Layer Taco Dip.

Why it took me so lengthy to come back to the concept of a layered casserole I can not clarify, however I will probably be making up for misplaced time from now till without end. Moderately than mixing the entire elements collectively, this Mexican casserole layers them, and the outcomes are unstoppably delish.

Whereas I normally go for common black beans in my Mexican recipes, with the layer-dip inspo behind my thoughts, I made this Mexican casserole with refried beans as an alternative.

The refried beans make the casserole delightfully creamy and are a tasty change of tempo. Like a layered dip however in heartier kind, it’s unbelievable to scoop with chips. Refined palate that he has, Ben eats his Mexican casserole with Doritos.

That’s the beloved nature of Mexican flavors: you need to use so many alternative combos and nonetheless have the cheese-tastic attract! (One other favourite Mexican casserole with tortillas: Sluggish Cooker Taco Casserole. This Rooster Tortilla Casserole is superb too.)

If you happen to’re searching for a hands-free approach to cook dinner a Mexican casserole, take a look at my Crock Pot Mexican Casserole and Immediate Pot Mexican Casserole. If you’re in for a bit of layered enjoyable, nevertheless, right this moment’s Mexican casserole with rice and refried beans is the transfer. It celebrates the savory flavors so many people love in Mexican meals.

The right way to Make Mexican Casserole

With the important thing 5 elements of a casserole – a protein corresponding to floor meat, a grain to carry it collectively like rice, creamy filling, contemporary greens, and a tasty tacky prime, this Mexican casserole has all of it and is a well-balanced dish.

The Components

• Lean Floor Beef. Flavorful, protein-packed, and scrumptious with the opposite flavors on this casserole. Not feeling the meat? You may swap floor hen or floor turkey.

• Cooked Brown Rice. I selected brown rice for this casserole for its entire grain advantages and traditional style, however you could possibly additionally use quinoa or one other cooked grain of your selection. Heads up! The rice shouldn’t be cooked as part of this recipe, so it’s necessary to have it already cooked earlier than beginning the remainder of the casserole.
• Onion + Bell Peppers. Delicious, colourful, and wholesome additions.
• Spices. A bit of cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper give this casserole an additional kick of taste and a contact of warmth.
• Nonfat Greek Yogurt. A sneaky, more healthy swap for bitter cream. It offers the identical tangy taste and creamy texture.
• Refried Beans. Each refried black beans and traditional refried beans (pintos) will style scrumptious right here. If you happen to’re in a rush, you need to use canned refried beans for this recipe. Nevertheless, in case you want to make them with out added salt or preservatives, use my Immediate Pot Black Beans or Immediate Pot Refried Beans recipe as an alternative.
• Cheeses. Sharp cheddar and mozzarella create the best creamy and tacky mixture for our casserole.
• Tomatoes with Inexperienced Chilies. Daring Southwestern taste packed into one straightforward can.

The Instructions

1. Prepare dinner the rice.

2. Sauté the onion and bell peppers.

3. Add the meat and spices, sautéing till cooked via. Stir within the garlic.

4. Take the skillet off of the warmth, then stir within the rice and yogurt.

5. Layer time! Unfold the refried beans within the ready baking dish.

6. High with a part of the cheeses.

7. Add the tomatoes and inexperienced chilies.

8. High with the rice and floor beef combination.

9. Add the remaining cheeses.
10. Bake uncovered at 350 levels F for quarter-hour. Pop underneath the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes, till the cheese browns.
11. Let the casserole relaxation for a couple of minutes, prime with cilantro, and DIG IN!

Recipe Variations

• Mexican Casserole with Rooster. Swap in floor hen meat for the bottom beef referred to as for on this recipe.
• To Make Vegetarian. Omit the bottom beef and use a can of pinto beans or vegetarian “meat” crumbles as an alternative.
• To Make Gluten Free. No adjustments wanted. This casserole recipe is gluten free as written.

Make Forward and Storage Ideas

This Mexican casserole with floor beef recipe produces very beneficiant parts for six, which is helpful as a result of it lasts as much as every week within the fridge, and it shops very effectively within the freezer for any parts you don’t end.

• To Make Forward. Prepare dinner the rice, and chop the onions, bell peppers, and garlic as much as 1 day upfront. Retailer every in a separate hermetic storage container within the fridge.
• To Retailer. This casserole might be saved in an hermetic storage container within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
• To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a baking dish within the oven at 350 levels F. You too can reheat it within the microwave. I like so as to add a splash of water or broth to maintain it from drying out.
• To Freeze. Freeze leftover casserole in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.

Extra Methods to Serve Mexican Casserole

• With Tortillas. For a Mexican casserole with tortillas, pile this casserole into tortillas and revel in it burrito model.
• As a Burrito Bowl. Serve this casserole in a bowl along with your favourite toppings.
• With Chips. Seize a bag of your favourite tortilla chips, and serve this casserole as a hearty dip.

What to Serve With Mexican Casserole 

Plentiful with lean protein, entire grains, and contemporary greens, that is actually an all-in-one meal. If you happen to’re trying to complement it although, listed below are some ideas:

Extra Marvelous Mexican Casseroles

• Baking Dish. The final word kitchen instrument for casseroles and a lot extra.
• Dutch Oven. A useful addition to your kitchen that can serve you effectively in so many recipes.
• Chef’s Knife. Splendid for prepping elements for any casserole recipe.

Guess what we’re within the temper for tonight (and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow…).

COOKBOOK NEWS & EVENTS

• Be part of me for a stay digital cooking occasion and Q&A! It’s 8/31 at 7 pm CT and is free and open to all. I’d like to e-meet you! Register right here.
• Individuals Journal featured my Baked Avocado Rooster Taquitos.
• LIMITED TIME. Order an autographed copy via my native bookstore (presently 20% off!). I’ll personalize it, then we’ll mail it proper out to you. Open to the continental U.S. 4 copies or extra ship free <—Good day, reward concept!
• LAST CHANCE. Preorder your e-book by 8/24 for a bonus recipe bundle. Extra information right here.