Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice Recipe

Introduction

This Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for a comforting weeknight meal. Packed with seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and melted cheese, it combines classic Mexican flavors in an easy-to-make casserole.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 10.75 ounce can red enchilada sauce
• 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounce can corn, drained
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
• ¼ cup sliced green onions

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 3-quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set it aside.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onions until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are tender.
3. Step 3: Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Drain any excess fat and return the mixture to the pan.
4. Step 4: Pour in the diced tomatoes, red enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, cooked rice, and all the seasonings. Stir well to combine everything evenly.
5. Step 5: Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover the pan, and cook for 10 minutes until heated through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Step 6: Spoon the beef and rice mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is hot and bubbly, about 15 minutes.
9. Step 9: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped cilantro and sliced green onions before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add some diced jalapeños or increase the red pepper flakes.
• Substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• Add a layer of corn tortillas or tortilla chips for a crispy texture.
• Top with sour cream or avocado slices when serving for additional creaminess.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through. This casserole also freezes well; freeze in portions for up to 2 months and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole vegetarian?

Yes, you can omit the ground beef and add extra beans, vegetables, or plant-based meat substitutes to keep it hearty and flavorful.

Is it necessary to cook the rice before adding it to the casserole?

Yes, the rice should be cooked beforehand since it won’t have enough time to fully cook in the casserole, ensuring the texture remains tender.

Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 89 reviews

This flavorful Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice is a hearty, comforting dish that combines seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and rice in a rich enchilada sauce, topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese and fresh herbs. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and packed with Tex-Mex flavors.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 ½ pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 10.75 ounce can red enchilada sauce
• 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounce can corn, drained
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
• ¼ cup sliced green onions

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 3-quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set it aside for later use.
2. Cook Ground Beef and Onions: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the diced onions until the beef is no longer pink and the onions become tender and translucent.
3. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook everything together for an additional 2 minutes to develop flavor. Then drain excess fat and return the meat mixture to the pan.
4. Mix in Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the diced tomatoes, red enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, cooked rice, and all the seasonings (Slap Ya Mama seasoning, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes). Stir thoroughly to combine all elements evenly.
5. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook for 10 minutes until everything is heated through and flavors meld together. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.
6. Assemble Casserole: Spoon the beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
7. Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted, hot, and bubbly—this should take about 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Finish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, then sprinkle the chopped cilantro and sliced green onions over the top for fresh flavor and garnish. Serve hot.

Notes

• You can substitute cooked white or brown rice if preferred.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on your spice tolerance for a milder or hotter casserole.
• For a thicker casserole, drain excess liquid before baking or add more cooked rice.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
• Optional toppings include sour cream, avocado slices, or additional hot sauce for extra flavor.

Keywords: Beef Enchilada Casserole, Enchilada casserole with rice, Tex-Mex casserole, Ground beef enchilada bake, Easy Mexican dinner