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Tex-Mex Beef and Rice Bake With Melted Cheese - Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Comfort

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef (85–90% lean)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked (or 3 cups cooked rice)
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chiles (or plain diced tomatoes)
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef or chicken broth (use 1/4 cup if using cooked rice)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen or canned corn (drained if canned)
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce or salsa
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • Lime wedges, sour cream, and sliced green onions for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, 4–5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  3. Brown the beef: Add ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink, 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Season: Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  5. Add liquids and rice: Stir in diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce or salsa, broth, rice (uncooked if using broth; cooked if not), beans, and corn. Taste and adjust salt.
  6. Simmer or swap: If using uncooked rice, bring to a simmer for 2–3 minutes to start softening. If using cooked rice, skip simmering and reduce added broth to 1/4 cup.
  7. Assemble: Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Smooth the top and sprinkle evenly with cheese.
  8. Bake: Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and rice is tender.
  9. Finish: Let rest 5–10 minutes. Top with cilantro and serve with lime, sour cream, and green onions.