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Mexican Beef Casserole
This Mexican Beef Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights and family dinners. Made with seasoned ground beef, tender jasmine rice, black beans, sweet corn, diced tomatoes, colorful bell peppers, and plenty of melted cheese, every bite is packed with bold Tex-Mex flavor. It's an easy one-pan meal that's hearty, filling, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Top each serving with sour cream, salsa, avocado, cilantro, and your favorite fresh toppings for a delicious homemade dinner everyone will love. Whether you're making it ahead for meal prep or serving it fresh from the oven, this cheesy Mexican casserole is sure to become a family favorite.
Cook Time
Servings
Difficulty
35 minutes
8
Easy
Prep Time
20 Minutes
Ingredients
For the Casserole
☐ 2 pounds ground beef or ground turkey
☐ 1 medium onion, diced
☐ 2 cloves garlic, minced
☐ 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
☐ 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
☐ 1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
☐ 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
☐ 1 cup cooked jasmine rice
☐ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend, divided
☐ 3 teaspoons chili powder
Ingredients
Directions
● Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
● In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
● Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
● Stir in the diced bell pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, just until the peppers begin to soften.
● Add the black beans, corn, and undrained diced tomatoes. Stir everything together and simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
● Stir the cooked jasmine rice into the meat mixture until evenly combined.
● Spread half of the casserole mixture into the prepared baking dish.
● Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese evenly over the first layer.
● Add the remaining casserole mixture, spreading it into an even layer.
● Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
● Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and the cheese has melted.
● Remove the foil and continue baking for 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.
● Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro, green onions, black olives, sour cream, salsa, avocado, or your favorite Mexican-inspired toppings. Serve warm and enjoy!
RECIPE TIPS
● For the best flavor, use 80/20 ground beef. If using ground turkey, add an extra tablespoon of olive oil while cooking to keep the casserole moist.
● Freshly shredded cheese melts much smoother than pre-shredded cheese and creates a creamier topping.
● Cook the jasmine rice ahead of time and let it cool slightly before mixing it into the casserole to prevent it from becoming mushy.
● Want a little heat? Stir in a diced jalapeño or a can of diced green chiles with the meat mixture.
● Feel free to customize this casserole with your favorite ingredients like pinto beans, Rotel tomatoes, or different varieties of bell peppers.
● Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes after baking. This helps it set up, making it much easier to cut and serve.
● Serve with tortilla chips, a fresh green salad, guacamole, salsa, or warm flour tortillas for a complete Tex-Mex meal.
Storage
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Refrigerator: Allow the casserole to cool completely before covering tightly with foil or transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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Freezer: This casserole freezes beautifully. Wrap the cooled casserole tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or place individual portions in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months.
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Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate until ready to bake. When baking from cold, add an extra 10–15 minutes to the baking time.
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Leftovers: Store individual portions in airtight containers for quick lunches or easy weeknight dinners. The flavors become even better the next day!
🔥 Reheating Instructions
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Oven (Best Method): Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes if you'd like the cheese to become bubbly again.
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Microwave: Place an individual serving on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 1–2 minutes, stirring or rotating halfway through if needed, until hot.
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From Frozen: Thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 25–30 minutes, removing the foil during the last 5 minutes to melt and lightly brown the cheese.
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Tip: If the casserole seems a little dry after refrigeration, add a tablespoon or two of salsa before reheating to help keep it moist and flavorful.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I make Mexican Beef Casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate until you're ready to bake. Add an extra 10–15 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
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Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great lighter option and works just as well in this recipe.
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Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes. Once cooled, wrap it tightly or place it in freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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What cheese works best?
A Mexican cheese blend or sharp cheddar both melt beautifully and add plenty of flavor. Freshly shredded cheese will give you the creamiest results.
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Can I make it spicier?
Of course! Add diced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes, hot salsa, or a can of Rotel with green chilies for an extra kick. -
What should I serve with Mexican Beef Casserole?
It's delicious with tortilla chips, a fresh green salad, Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, salsa, or warm flour tortillas.
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Can I substitute the black beans?
Yes! Pinto beans or kidney beans are excellent substitutes if that's what you have on hand.
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Why should I let the casserole rest before serving?
Allowing it to rest for 5–10 minutes helps the casserole set, making it easier to slice and serve while keeping all the cheesy layers together.
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You MIght Also Like
☐ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
☐ ½ teaspoon paprika
☐ 2½ teaspoons salt, or to taste
☐ ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Optional Toppings
☐ Chopped fresh cilantro
☐ Sliced green onions
☐ Sliced black olives
☐ Sour cream
☐ Salsa
☐ Sliced avocado
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