Healthy One Skillet Mexican Rice and Beef Casserole

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This easy One Skillet Mexican Inspired Rice and Beef Casserole comes together quickly in just 30 minutes! This healthy recipe is the perfect dinner idea for tonight! Mexican Style Rice and Beef Casserole is an easy comfort food you can enjoy guilt-free! It’s chock full of brown rice, black beans, and cheesy goodness. Save this lightened -up Mexican-inspired dish for later!

Silver skillet with Mexican Rice Casserole on a blue linen napkin with a wooden spoon to the left of the skillet,
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This easy One Skillet Mexican Inspired Rice and Beef Casserole comes together quickly in just 30 minutes! This healthy recipe is the perfect dinner idea for tonight! Mexican Style Rice and Beef Casserole is an easy comfort food you can enjoy guilt-free! It’s chock full of brown rice, black beans, and cheesy goodness. Save this lightened -up Mexican-inspired dish for later!

(Linking up with Deborah and Sarah  for Eat Well, Live Well.)

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Close up of Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole with black beans and peppers in a skillet.
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Why you’ll love this recipe

The best part about this quick and easy Mexican style rice casserole is that you can use any type of ground meat (beef, chicken or turkey) or can even go vegetarian by substituting ground tofu.  It’s completely versatile!

It’s healthy too!

This casserole is full of good for you black beans, corn, red and green peppers, brown rice and cheese. Beans contain a lot of soluble fibre, protein, carbohydrates, folate and iron, so this dish is good for you too! It’s also so easy to make and you use only one pot and that’s all. Clean up is a breeze and I often have left-overs for next day.

Related: Homemade Low Sodium Taco Seasoning Mix – Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just looking to spice up your weeknight dinners, this low sodium taco seasoning mix recipe is perfect for everyone, especially if you’re watching your salt intake. If you love to control the ingredients in your dishes, this one’s a game-changer. 

Close up of Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole with black beans and peppers in a skillet.

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What’s in Mexican Style Casserole?

With a few simple ingredients you dinner is ready and your family will eat this one up. 

Photo showing the ingredients for Mexican Inspired Casserole, from left to right: Red Pepper, Corn, Ground Beef, Green Pepper, Black Beans, Chili Powder, Brown Rice, and Salsa.
  • Lean Ground Beef – you can substitute ground turkey as a healthier option, or even ground tofu for a vegetarian option.
  • Red Pepper (can use frozen)
  • Green Pepper (can use frozen) – When my husband makes this he uses a bag of frozen mixed peppers and onions.
  • Corn (can use frozen or canned)
  • Brown Rice
  • Chili powder (or you can use tex mex or taco seasoning)
  • Water
  • Salsa – your choice or heat, I prefer hot, but the kids prefer medium.
  • Grated Tex Mex Cheese Mix

Be sure to check out the full ingredient list and printable recipe in the recipe card below.

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How to make Healthy Mexican Inspired Beef and Rice Casserole

One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole 5 - This easy One Skillet Mexican Inspired Rice and Beef Casserole comes together quickly in just 30 minutes! This healthy recipe is the perfect dinner idea for tonight! Mexican Style Rice and Beef Casserole is an easy comfort food you can enjoy guilt-free! It's chock full of brown rice, black beans, and cheesy goodness. Save this lightened -up Mexican-inspired dish for later!
  1. Brown beef in an oven safe non-stick skillet and drain any excess fat
  2. Stir in bell peppers and sauté for 2 minutes.
  3. Stir in salsa, corn, black beans, water, rice and chili powder.
  4. Bring mixture to a boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and set aside for 5-7 minutes, or until liquid has been absorbed.
  6. Stir gently, sprinkle shredded cheese over the surface, re-cover and set aside for an additional 2 minutes to melt the cheese. Add salt to taste.

Make this Mexican Casserole Dish then check out my Instant Pot White Chicken Chili, Corn and Black Bean Quinoa Salad Recipe and Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad and more of my Tex Mex Recipes!

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Close up of wooden spoon with Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole on the spoon, and the skillet casserole in the background.

How to serve this Mexican Style Casserole

When ready to serve, you can eat this right out of the pan or serve it in a wrap with salsa and add sour cream, guacamole, salsa and lettuce to taste. Wrap and enjoy! We love it both ways, and the leftovers taste even better the next day!

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How to Freeze Mexican Casserole

Cover with foil and label. To reheat, let thaw overnight in fridge. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes covered with the foil. Then remove foil and cook until the top is nice and brown.

Silver skillet with Mexican Rice Casserole on a blue linen napkin with a wooden spoon to the left of the skillet,

Other casserole recipes to try

  • Easy Shephard’s Pie – This recipe features a hearty meat and vegetable filling topped with cheesy garlic mashed potatoes, baked to golden perfection. With easy-to-follow instructions and simple ingredients, this Shephard’s Pie is a comforting and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion. 
  • Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe – Creamy noodles with chicken and a crunchy topping! This is an easy weeknight meal perfect for a family dinner or a potluck dish everyone will love!
  • Cheesy Tuna Casserole –  a creamy and delicious meal that is quick and simple to make. Made with shell pasta, white tuna, and lots of shredded cheese, the taste is going to be amazing!
  • Easy Penne Pasta Bake Casserole –  a delicious combination of hearty flavourful meat sauce, fresh spinach, and bubbly mozzarella cheese. This yummy pasta bake is something your whole family is sure to enjoy!

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Silver skillet with Mexican Rice Casserole on a blue linen napkin with a wooden spoon to the left of the skillet,
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Healthy One Skillet Mexican Inspired Rice and Beef Casserole Recipe

9e6272d16533b616004d97f7b4e6c8d058595fc2b634d1a35e29d9ad2c6a4ccc?s=20&d=mm&r=g - This easy One Skillet Mexican Inspired Rice and Beef Casserole comes together quickly in just 30 minutes! This healthy recipe is the perfect dinner idea for tonight! Mexican Style Rice and Beef Casserole is an easy comfort food you can enjoy guilt-free! It's chock full of brown rice, black beans, and cheesy goodness. Save this lightened -up Mexican-inspired dish for later!Janice
This easy One Skillet Mexican Inspired Rice and Beef Casserole comes together quickly in just 30 minutes! This healthy recipe is the perfect dinner idea for tonight! Mexican Style Rice and Beef Casserole is an easy comfort food you can enjoy guilt-free! It's chockfull of brown rice, black beans, and cheesy goodness.
prep: 5 minutes
cook: 30 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
calories: 328kcal
servings: 6 servings
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Equipment You’ll Need

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound Extra lean ground beef (browned and drained)
  • 3/4 cup Brown Instant Rice (uncooked)
  • 1 Red bell pepper (diced or cut into strips)
  • 1 Green bell pepper (diced or cut into strips)
  • 1 cup Salsa (heat level to your preference)
  • 1 cup Corn
  • 1 cup black beans (rinsed)
  • 3/4 cup Water
  • 1 tsp Chili powder
  • 1 cup Tex Mex Cheese

Instructions

  • Brown beef in a non-stick skillet and drain any excess fat.
    One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole 1 - This easy One Skillet Mexican Inspired Rice and Beef Casserole comes together quickly in just 30 minutes! This healthy recipe is the perfect dinner idea for tonight! Mexican Style Rice and Beef Casserole is an easy comfort food you can enjoy guilt-free! It's chock full of brown rice, black beans, and cheesy goodness. Save this lightened -up Mexican-inspired dish for later!
  • Stir in bell peppers and sauté for 2 minutes.
    One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole 3 - This easy One Skillet Mexican Inspired Rice and Beef Casserole comes together quickly in just 30 minutes! This healthy recipe is the perfect dinner idea for tonight! Mexican Style Rice and Beef Casserole is an easy comfort food you can enjoy guilt-free! It's chock full of brown rice, black beans, and cheesy goodness. Save this lightened -up Mexican-inspired dish for later!
  • Stir in salsa, corn, black beans, water, rice and chili powder.
    One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole 4 - This easy One Skillet Mexican Inspired Rice and Beef Casserole comes together quickly in just 30 minutes! This healthy recipe is the perfect dinner idea for tonight! Mexican Style Rice and Beef Casserole is an easy comfort food you can enjoy guilt-free! It's chock full of brown rice, black beans, and cheesy goodness. Save this lightened -up Mexican-inspired dish for later!
  • Bring mixture to a boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and set aside for 5-7 minutes, or until liquid has been absorbed.
    Close up of Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole with black beans and peppers in a skillet.
  • Stir gently, sprinkle shredded cheese over the surface, re-cover and set aside for an additional 2 minutes to melt the cheese. Add salt to taste.

Notes

How to Freeze

Cover with foil and label. To reheat, let thaw overnight in fridge. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes covered with the foil. Then remove foil and cook until the top is nice and brown.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5 cups | Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 521mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g

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One Skillet Mexican Inspired Casserole - This easy One Skillet Mexican Inspired Rice and Beef Casserole comes together quickly in just 30 minutes! This healthy recipe is the perfect dinner idea for tonight! Mexican Style Rice and Beef Casserole is an easy comfort food you can enjoy guilt-free! It's chock full of brown rice, black beans, and cheesy goodness. Save this lightened -up Mexican-inspired dish for later!

Hello there! I'm Janice and I LOVE salads!! I’m also passionate about cooking EASY, healthy meals. Join me as I share and my family friendly recipes!

Janice Smith, B. Sc. Spec Honours (Kin), ATTH

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  1. My family is going to love this! Perfect for a weeknight dinner.

    Reply