Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1 medium red bell pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked

1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained

1 cup beef broth

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Sliced jalapeños (for garnish)

Sour cream (for serving)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.

Step 2: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 3: Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4: Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release the spices’ aromas.

Step 5: Add the uncooked long-grain white rice, diced tomatoes with green chilies (including the juice), tomato sauce, and beef broth. Mix everything thoroughly.

Step 6: Fold in the drained black beans and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly into the mixture.

Step 7: Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 9: Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the rice is tender.

Step 10: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream as desired.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, add diced jalapeños during the sauté step or sprinkle cayenne pepper with the spices.

Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version of the dish.

Use brown rice instead of white, but increase the baking time to ensure it cooks through.

Mix in corn kernels or chopped zucchini for added vegetables and texture.

FAQs

Can I use canned beef broth instead of homemade?

Yes, canned or boxed beef broth works perfectly and adds flavor to the rice as it cooks.

Is it necessary to rinse the black beans?

Rinsing canned black beans helps reduce excess sodium and improves texture, so it’s recommended but not mandatory.

Dinner

Tex-Mex Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe

Introduction