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

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

Straightforward Tacky Mexican Casserole With Rice

Due to predominant substances which might be usually available at house – brown rice, canned beans and tomatoes, and cheese – this recipe is the head of simple and wholesome consolation meals.

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

It requires lean floor beef, complete grain brown rice, and Greek yogurt as a substitute of bitter cream. Additionally, by utilizing fully-flavored cheeses (hi there, sharp cheddar) you may pack extra taste whereas utilizing much less.

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

For immediately’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 return to the concept of a layered casserole I can’t clarify, however I will probably be making up for misplaced time from now till ceaselessly. Quite than mixing all the substances collectively, this Mexican casserole layers them, and the outcomes are unstoppably delish.

Whereas I often 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 a substitute.

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 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 various combos and nonetheless have the cheese-tastic attract! (One other favourite Mexican casserole with tortillas: Sluggish Cooker Taco Casserole. This Rooster Tortilla Casserole is great too.)

In case you’re on the lookout for a hands-free solution to cook dinner a Mexican casserole, try my Crock Pot Mexican Casserole and Instantaneous Pot Mexican Casserole. In case you are in for a little bit layered enjoyable, nonetheless, immediately’s Mexican casserole with rice and refried beans is the transfer. It celebrates the savory flavors so many people love in Mexican meals.

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 high, 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 hen or floor turkey.

• Cooked Brown Rice. I selected brown rice for this casserole for its complete grain advantages and basic style, however you possibly can 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 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 basic 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. Nonetheless, for those who want to make them with out added salt or preservatives, use my Instantaneous Pot Black Beans or Instantaneous Pot Refried Beans recipe as a substitute.
• 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 simple 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, high with cilantro, and DIG IN!

Recipe Variations

• Mexican Casserole with Rooster. Swap in floor hen 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 a substitute.
• 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 properly 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 could 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 can even 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 

Ample with lean protein, complete grains, and contemporary greens, that is really an all-in-one meal. In case you’re trying to complement it although, listed here are some ideas:

Extra Marvelous Mexican Casseroles

• Baking Dish. The final word kitchen software for casseroles and a lot extra.
• Dutch Oven. A useful addition to your kitchen that may serve you properly in so many recipes.
• Chef’s Knife. Excellent for prepping substances for any casserole recipe.

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

COOKBOOK NEWS & EVENTS

• Be a 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 Rooster Taquitos.
• LIMITED TIME. Order an autographed copy via 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 <—Hiya, reward thought!
• LAST CHANCE. Preorder your ebook by 8/24 for a bonus recipe bundle. Extra information right here.