Taco Rice Casserole

This taco rice casserole is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. It's made with seasoned taco meat, rice, and other taco fix-ins with melted shredded cheese on top. Every bite is loaded with beef and rice casserole goodness, and you'll love how easy it is to make!

The Best Taco Rice Casserole

This taco rice casserole recipe is the ideal family dinner. It's quick and easy to make, yet it tastes like it took all day!

The perfectly seasoned ground beef and rice are mixed with black beans, corn, and tomatoes, all topped with shredded cheddar cheese. It's loaded with some serious flavor.

Basically, it's the most delicious taco you've ever had but in casserole form! And there's just something so much more satisfying about eating it with a fork.  

Since it's so simple to make, you can whip up some sides to make the ultimate Mexican food meal! I think serving taco rice casserole with these Taco Bell nacho fries and Taco Bell nacho cheese takes it to another level.

Why This Recipe Works

Quick and easy. Casseroles are known for being convenient to make, and this taco rice casserole is no different. All you have to do is cook the meat and assemble the casserole. The rest is up to the oven!

Easy to customize. You can add anything you want to this casserole recipe or leave anything out. You have the final say, just like with regular tacos!

Family favorite. My family loves tacos and they love this taco casserole with rice even more. So I'm sure it'll be with your family too!

Ingredients

Not only is this taco rice casserole easy to make, but it's also made with super simple ingredients!

Check out what you need to make Mexican beef and rice casserole:

• 1 lb. ground beef (or ground turkey)
• ½ cup onion, chopped
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup black beans
• 2 cups diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel diced tomatoes)
• 2 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

You can use a lot of these same ingredients to make my taco pasta casserole and taco potato casserole. They're two other versions of a taco casserole that are easy and delicious, so give them a try sometime!

Oh, and if you want to make a vegetarian version of this casserole, check out my Mexican rice casserole. 

How To Make Taco Rice Casserole

1. Cook the meat: Before you do anything, preheat the oven to 350°F (180ºC). Now cook the ground meat of your choice in a large skillet, breaking it apart until it browns on all sides. Add in the chopped onions and cook until they're soft. Stir in the taco seasoning, add a little water, and mix everything well. 

2. Add the extras: Add the corn, tomatoes, and black beans to the skillet. Give everything a mix and simmer for a minute so the taco seasoning melds into the ingredients. 

3. Build the casserole: Spray a casserole dish or baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spoon two cups of cooked rice into the bottom of the dish, spreading it out evenly. Then, spoon the meat mixture over the rice and top it with all of the shredded cheese.

4. Bake the casserole: Put the assembled casserole in the oven and bake it for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden.

Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Use regular diced tomatoes instead of Rotel diced tomatoes for less spice.
• Add monterey jack cheese or Mexican cheese to the cheddar cheese for more flavor.
• Add crushed tortilla chips to the top of the casserole to give it a satisfying crunch.
• Serve your taco casserole with toppings like sour cream, chopped green onions, avocado slices, and salsa.

How To Store Taco Rice Casserole

In the fridge: This taco rice casserole can be stored in the casserole dish with a lid on it or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

In the freezer: Transfer the taco casserole with rice to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. 

Reheating: Put the leftover casserole in a prepared baking dish sprayed with cooking spray and warm in the oven, covered with aluminum foil, at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Let the frozen casserole thaw in the fridge overnight or add more reheating time.

FAQs About This Taco Rice Casserole Recipe

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole up until baking but don't add the cheese yet. Then just cover the baking dish and store it in the refrigerator for a day or two. When you're ready to eat, top the casserole with the cheese, pop it in the oven, and add a few extra minutes of cooking time.

Do you cook rice before putting it in a casserole?

Yes, cooked rice is always best for putting in a casserole. It's hard for uncooked rice to get tender if it's baked in the casserole.

Can I use frozen corn in this taco rice casserole?

Yes, frozen corn will work great. You can stir it right into the casserole, and it'll thaw and cook along with the casserole.

More Taco Casserole Recipes

• Mexican street corn casserole
• Taco casserole with tortillas
• Taco cornbread casserole
• Walking taco casserole
• Dorito chicken casserole
• Frito taco casserole