This Taco Rice Casserole is a delicious and easy dish to make. The ground beef, black beans, and diced tomatoes provide protein and depth of flavor while the rice helps turn the casserole into a full meal.
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Why you'll love this recipe
This Taco Rice Casserole is the kind of comfort food that makes everyone race to the table. It's cheesy, flavorful, and filled with tender rice, seasoned beef, and zesty taco goodness in every bite.
The best part? It's easy to make with simple pantry ingredients! No complicated steps or fancy tools required. It's the kind of weeknight dinner that brings everyone together and tastes even better as leftovers (if there are any!).
Simple ingredients list
Please refer to the printable recipe card at below for the exact measurements.
Easy Taco Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef If you use an 80/20 mixture, be sure to drain the grease.
- 1 onion diced
- 15 ounce can black beans or pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn You can use canned fiesta corn as well; be sure to drain.
- 10 ounce can of Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chiles)
- 8 ounce packet instant Spanish rice
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ ounces taco seasoning that's about a packet and a half.
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- optional garnishes - sliced green onions, cilantro, diced tomatoes, slices olives and sour cream.
Instructions
- Over medium heat in a large skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onions until no longer pink. Drain well.
- While the meat is cooking, cook the instant rice according to package directions, set aside.
- Add the drained black beans, Ro*tel, corn, and instant rice, stir to combine.
- Pour in the water and sprinkle with the taco seasoning. Mix well and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in half the cheese. Top with the remaining shredded cheese and add a lid to the skillet. That will help melt the cheese more quickly.
- Remove from heat and top with optional garnishes - serve and enjoy!
Notes
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Nutrition
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, check the recipe card.
FAQ's
For this casserole, yes you will need to cook the rice before you add it to the filling.
Yes, you can freeze casseroles that have rice in them. They are great for freezer meals.
No, swap out the beef for ground turkey or ground chicken to lighten up the casserole.
Yes, add diced bell pepper, diced zucchini or spice it up with diced jalapeno, or even fresh tomatoes to this hearty comfort food!
Deb's tips for a great taco rice casserole
If you don't have Spanish rice, use cooked white or brown rice seasoned with a dash of onion powder, garlic powder and a little tomato paste.
Garnish this casserole with your favorite taco toppings, fresh cilantro, crushed tortilla chips, taco sauce, and sour cream are all favorites in our house.
Related recipes
If you love easy Tex-Mex dinners like this Taco Rice Casserole, don't stop here. I've got more tasty ideas that'll spice up your weeknight lineup!
My Taco Salad Casserole layers all your favorite taco flavors with a crispy topping that's pure comfort in every bite. Or try the Mexican Tater Tot Casserole, a cheesy, family-friendly favorite that always disappears fast. And if you're craving something classic with a twist, Impossible Taco Pie delivers all that zesty flavor in an easy, no-fuss bake.
Each of these recipes are simple, hearty, and guaranteed to bring smiles to the table!
Serve with
If you want to keep it simple, serve it with a basket of warm flour tortillas or a pile of tortilla chips for scooping. No one ever complains about extra chips on the table! A batch of hot, bubbly Quesadilla Dip would be delicious with those chips!
Wrapping it up
This Taco Rice Casserole is everything you love about taco night - all baked into one cheesy, satisfying dish! It's hearty, flavorful, and loaded with all those classic Tex-Mex flavors your family can't get enough of. Whether it's a busy weeknight or a laid-back weekend dinner, this easy casserole delivers comfort in every bite.
Grab your favorite toppings, scoop it up, and get ready for second helpings - this one's always a crowd favorite!
L says
This Taco Rice dish is just so tasty. We love it.
Debra Clark says
I just love how easy this recipe is - glad it was a hit!