Hey there, amigos!
Craving some delicious comfort food? You’re in for a treat!
Today, I’m sharing my fun and flavorful Mexican casserole recipe.
It’s packed with all the good stuff—tender veggies, hearty beans, and a kick of spice!
Perfect for a cozy dinner or feeding a crowd.
Let’s dig in and spice things up! 🌶️
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-40 minutes |
| Total Time | 45-60 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
For the base:
- 1 yellow onion (finely diced)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt (I use Fage Total 0%)
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (freshly minced)
- 1 can refried black beans
For the seasoning:
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adds a slight kick)
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp chili powder
For the topping and garnish:
- fresh cilantro
- 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese (freshly shredded for best melt)
- chopped green onions
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
If you haven’t already, be sure to cook your rice.
If you just realized you don’t have any cooked rice and don’t want to wait, consider switching to quinoa, which cooks much more quickly than brown rice.
Instant brown rice also works in a pinch.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Coat a large casserole dish (9×13 inch or similar) with nonstick spray and set it aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables and Beef
In a Dutch oven or large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper.
Sauté until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef along with chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Continue to sauté until the beef is cooked through and no longer pink, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Finally, add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 1 additional minute.
Remove the skillet from the heat.
Step 4: Combine with Rice and Greek Yogurt
Stir in the cooked rice and Greek yogurt into the beef and vegetable mixture until evenly combined.
Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
Step 5: Assemble the Casserole
Spread the beans into an even layer in the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese over the beans.
Scatter the tomatoes with green chilis over the top.
Spoon the rice and ground beef mixture on top of the tomatoes, spreading it into an even layer.
Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar and 1/2 cup mozzarella.
Step 6: Bake and Broil the Casserole
Bake the casserole, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot, about 15 minutes.
Turn the oven to broil, then continue cooking until the cheese is lightly browned, about 3 to 4 additional minutes.
Watch carefully to ensure the cheese does not burn.
Once done, let the casserole rest for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and green onions before serving.
