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

If Mexican meals at all times seems like a good suggestion in your 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 recent elements for that wealthy, tacky Southwest sensation that we by no means appear to cease craving.

Straightforward Tacky Mexican Casserole With Rice

Due to primary elements which might be usually readily available at residence – brown rice, canned beans and tomatoes, and cheese – this recipe is the head 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 (hi there, sharp cheddar) you’ll be able to pack extra taste whereas utilizing much less.

This family-friendly recipe is customized from my exceptionally common Mexican Hen Casserole. That recipe requires quinoa and cubed boneless, skinless rooster breast.

For at present’s Mexican casserole, I used to be hungry for one thing extra old style and picked up inspiration from probably the most 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 thought of a layered casserole I can not clarify, however I will likely be making up for misplaced time from now till perpetually. Slightly 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 type, it’s improbable 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 various combos and nonetheless have the cheese-tastic attract! (One other favourite Mexican casserole with tortillas: Gradual Cooker Taco Casserole. This Hen Tortilla Casserole is superb too.)

In case you’re on the lookout for a hands-free option to prepare dinner a Mexican casserole, try my Crock Pot Mexican Casserole and Instantaneous Pot Mexican Casserole. In case you are in for slightly layered enjoyable, nevertheless, at present’s Mexican casserole with rice and refried beans is the transfer. It celebrates the savory flavors so many people love in Mexican meals.

The way to Make Mexican Casserole

With the important thing 5 parts of a casserole – a protein reminiscent of floor meat, a grain to carry it collectively like rice, creamy filling, recent 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’ll be able to swap floor rooster or floor turkey.

• Cooked Brown Rice. I selected brown rice for this casserole for its entire grain advantages and traditional style, however you might additionally use quinoa or one other cooked grain of your alternative. Heads up! The rice just isn’t cooked as part of this recipe, so it’s essential to have it already cooked earlier than beginning the remainder of the casserole.
• Onion + Bell Peppers. Delicious, colourful, and wholesome additions.
• Spices. A bit 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. In case you’re in a rush, you need to use canned refried beans for this recipe. Nevertheless, for those who need to make them with out added salt or preservatives, use my Instantaneous Pot Black Beans or Instantaneous Pot Refried Beans recipe as an alternative.
• Cheeses. Sharp cheddar and mozzarella create the perfect creamy and tacky mixture for our casserole.
• Tomatoes with Inexperienced Chilies. Daring Southwestern taste packed into one straightforward can.

The Instructions

1. Cook dinner the rice.

2. Sauté the onion and bell peppers.

3. Add the meat and spices, sautéing till cooked by way of. 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. Prime with a part of the cheeses.

7. Add the tomatoes and inexperienced chilies.

8. Prime with the rice and floor beef combination.

9. Add the remaining cheeses.
10. Bake uncovered at 350 levels F for quarter-hour. Pop below 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 Diversifications

• Mexican Casserole with Hen. Swap in floor rooster meat for the bottom beef known 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 modifications wanted. This casserole recipe is gluten free as written.

Make Forward and Storage Suggestions

This Mexican casserole with floor beef recipe produces very beneficiant parts for six, which is useful 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. Cook 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 may also 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 recent greens, that is actually an all-in-one meal. In case you’re seeking to complement it although, listed here are some solutions:

Extra Marvelous Mexican Casseroles

• Baking Dish. The last 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 dwell 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 Hen Taquitos.
• LIMITED TIME. Order an autographed copy by way of my native bookstore (at the moment 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 <—Hey, reward concept!
• LAST CHANCE. Preorder your guide by 8/24 for a bonus recipe bundle. Extra data right here.