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

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

Straightforward Tacky Mexican Casserole With Rice

Due to primary substances which might be usually available at house – 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, complete grain brown rice, and Greek yogurt as an alternative of bitter cream. Additionally, by utilizing fully-flavored cheeses (good day, sharp cheddar) you possibly can pack extra taste whereas utilizing much less.

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

For at this time’s Mexican casserole, I used to be hungry for one thing extra old skool 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 return to the concept of a layered casserole I can not clarify, however I can be making up for misplaced time from now till endlessly. Slightly 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 at the back of 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 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 Rooster Tortilla Casserole is superb too.)

Should you’re searching for a hands-free approach to prepare dinner a Mexican casserole, take a look at my Crock Pot Mexican Casserole and On the spot Pot Mexican Casserole. If you’re in for somewhat layered enjoyable, nonetheless, at this time’s Mexican casserole with rice and refried beans is the transfer. It celebrates the savory flavors so many people love in Mexican meals.

Learn how to Make Mexican Casserole

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

The Substances

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

• Cooked Brown Rice. I selected brown rice for this casserole for its complete grain advantages and traditional style, however you could possibly additionally use quinoa or one other cooked grain of your selection. Heads up! The rice will not be cooked as part of this recipe, so it’s vital 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 supplies the identical tangy taste and creamy texture.
• Refried Beans. Each refried black beans and traditional refried beans (pintos) will style scrumptious right here. Should you’re in a rush, you need to use canned refried beans for this recipe. Nonetheless, in the event you want to make them with out added salt or preservatives, use my On the spot Pot Black Beans or On the spot 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 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 beneath 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 an alternative.
• To Make Gluten Free. No modifications 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 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. 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 will 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 as well 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 luxuriate in it burrito model.
• As a Burrito Bowl. Serve this casserole in a bowl together 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 

Considerable with lean protein, complete grains, and recent greens, that is actually an all-in-one meal. Should you’re trying to complement it although, listed below are some options:

Extra Marvelous Mexican Casseroles

• Baking Dish. The last word kitchen device for casseroles and a lot extra.
• Dutch Oven. A useful addition to your kitchen that can 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 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 (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, present concept!
• LAST CHANCE. Preorder your e-book by 8/24 for a bonus recipe bundle. Extra information right here.