The Heartiest Beef Enchilada Casserole With Rice Recipe Ever

Creamy, cheesy beef enchilada casserole brings comfort to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Layers of seasoned ground beef and soft tortillas create a mouthwatering meal that feels like a warm hug.

Melted cheese cascades between each delicious layer, promising rich flavors in every single bite.

Southwestern spices dance through the casserole, adding depth and complexity to this simple yet impressive dish.

Quick preparation means you can have a hearty meal ready in under an hour.

Colorful and inviting, this casserole transforms ordinary ingredients into something truly special.

Let’s uncover how simple ingredients can become an extraordinary dinner that everyone will request again and again.

Serving Ideas for Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice

• Festive Fiesta Feast: Serve with a zesty side of Mexican street corn salad for a burst of flavor.
• Creamy Cool Down: Top with dollops of sour cream and fresh guacamole to balance the warm, spicy casserole.
• Fresh Finish: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro, diced green onions, and sliced black olives for a vibrant, colorful presentation.
• Sidekick Spectacular: Pair with a crisp green salad or quick pickled jalapeños to add freshness and a tangy kick to the meal.

Storage Recommendations for Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap the casserole securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Cover the casserole with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated completely. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese.

FAQs

• What makes ground beef taste better in this recipe?

Browning the beef and draining excess fat helps develop a richer flavor. Adding taco seasoning enhances the taste and provides a deep, savory profile to the meat.

• Can I use different types of tortillas?

Corn tortillas work best for this casserole as they provide authentic texture and hold up well during baking. Flour tortillas might become too soft and lose their structure in the dish.

• How do I prevent the casserole from becoming soggy?

Layer ingredients carefully and don’t oversaturate with enchilada sauce. Draining canned ingredients and using cooked rice helps maintain a good texture and prevents excess moisture.

Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice: Why It’s a Hit

• Conquer Comfort Food: A mouthwatering casserole that combines hearty beef, zesty seasonings, and melted cheese into one satisfying dish perfect for family dinners.
• Simplify Meal Prep: Layer ingredients quickly without complicated techniques, making this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels who want delicious results with minimal effort.
• Customize Your Feast: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients like ground turkey, adding extra vegetables, or adjusting spice levels to match your family's taste preferences.
• Budget-Friendly Delight: Economical ingredients like ground beef, canned beans, and tortillas create a filling meal that stretches your grocery budget without compromising flavor.

Ingredients for Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the core of the casserole's savory filling.
• Black Beans: A protein-rich legume that adds texture and nutritional value to the dish.

• Corn Tortillas: A traditional Mexican base that provides structure and authentic flavor to the casserole.
• White Rice: A fluffy staple grain that adds substance and helps bind the casserole layers.

• Enchilada Sauce: A zesty red sauce that infuses the casserole with classic Mexican flavor profiles.
• Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese: Sharp and creamy cheeses that melt beautifully and create a rich, gooey topping.

• Taco Seasoning: A blend of spices that adds depth and traditional Mexican-inspired taste to the beef.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: A tangy and slightly spicy ingredient that brings moisture and bright flavor to the mixture.

• Cilantro, Black Olives: Fresh herbs and salty olives that provide optional finishing touches and additional flavor complexity.

Step-by-Step Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F (175C) to get ready for some serious cooking action.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Sizzle ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s completely cooked through.

Drain away any extra grease.

Step 3: Spice Up the Meat

• Taco seasoning
• Diced tomatoes with green chilies
• Black beans

Let the mixture simmer and get all cozy for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Create the First Layer

Grab a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and spread out half of the corn tortillas across the bottom.

Step 5: Build the First Rice Level

Scatter half of the cooked rice over the tortillas, creating a delicious base.

Step 6: Add the Beef Layer

Spread half of the beef mixture on top of the rice, creating a hearty foundation.

Step 7: Sauce and Cheese First Round

Pour half of the enchilada sauce evenly across the beef.

• Cheddar cheese
• Monterey Jack cheese

Step 8: Repeat the Delicious Layers

• Corn tortillas
• Rice
• Beef mixture
• Enchilada sauce
• Cheese

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Pop the casserole into the oven uncovered and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling with excitement.

Step 10: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole chill for 5 minutes.

Optional finishing touches include sprinkling cilantro and black olives on top.

Dig in and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice

• Remove excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing dish.
• Add a splash of lime juice or a pinch of cumin to the beef mixture for an extra layer of authentic Mexican-inspired taste.
• Use day-old rice or cooled rice to prevent soggy layers and maintain a perfect texture in the casserole.
• Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow cheese to set and make cutting easier.
• Adjust the spiciness by choosing mild or hot taco seasoning and selecting the right level of green chiles for your preference.

Variations for Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice

• Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like black beans, lentils, or crumbled tofu. Keep all other ingredients the same for a hearty meatless version.
• Chicken Enchilada Casserole: Swap ground beef for shredded rotisserie chicken or diced chicken breast. Season with same taco seasoning for a lighter protein option.
• Gluten-Free Enchilada Bake: Use corn tortillas (which are naturally gluten-free) and ensure taco seasoning and enchilada sauce are certified gluten-free. Verify all ingredients meet gluten-free standards.

Beef Enchilada Casserole With Rice Recipe

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired Beef Enchilada Casserole blends hearty ground beef, zesty spices, and melted cheese into a comforting one-pan meal. Layers of tortillas, rich sauce, and savory ingredients create a satisfying dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein and Starch:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups cooked white or Mexican rice
• 12 small corn tortillas, cut into quarters

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can (10 ounces / 284 grams) red enchilada sauce
• 1 can (10 ounces / 284 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies

Cheese and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
2. In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until thoroughly browned, ensuring no pink remains. Eliminate excess grease by draining.
3. Incorporate taco seasoning, green chili-infused tomatoes, and black beans into the beef. Allow the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 5 minutes.
4. Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray, then create the first foundation layer using half of the corn tortillas across the bottom.
5. Distribute an even layer of cooked rice directly over the tortilla base, covering the entire surface.
6. Spread half of the seasoned beef mixture uniformly across the rice layer.
7. Drizzle enchilada sauce generously over the beef, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Sprinkle a generous blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese across the sauce.
9. Repeat the layering process with remaining tortillas, rice, beef mixture, enchilada sauce, and cheese to create a second complete layer.
10. Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese transforms into a melted, golden landscape.
11. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, enabling flavors to settle and making serving easier.
12. Optional: Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced black olives for added visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a soggy casserole base, ensuring crisp texture and preventing excess grease.
• Customize spice levels by selecting mild or hot taco seasoning, letting home cooks control the heat intensity according to their preference.
• Make this dish gluten-free by substituting corn tortillas with gluten-free alternatives and checking taco seasoning ingredients for hidden gluten.
• Prep ingredients beforehand for faster assembly, chopping cilantro and measuring spices in advance to streamline the cooking process.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 507 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 790 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg