Best 4 Cheesy Mexi Rice Casserole Recipes

**Cheesy Mexi-Rice Casserole: A Flavorful Fusion of Mexican and American Comfort Food**

Indulge in the delightful fusion of Mexican and American comfort food with our Cheesy Mexi-Rice Casserole. This hearty and flavorful dish is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring layers of tender rice, seasoned ground beef, a medley of colorful vegetables, a creamy cheese sauce, and a crispy tortilla chip topping. Each bite offers a burst of savory, cheesy goodness, complemented by the vibrant flavors of Mexican spices. Whether you're looking for a satisfying family meal or a crowd-pleasing dish for potlucks and gatherings, this Cheesy Mexi-Rice Casserole is sure to be a hit.

**The article offers two variations of the recipe:**

1. **Classic Cheesy Mexi-Rice Casserole:**

This traditional version features ground beef, a blend of Mexican spices, colorful bell peppers, corn, black beans, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. The casserole is topped with crushed tortilla chips for a delightful crunch.

2. **Healthy Cheesy Mexi-Rice Casserole:**

For those seeking a lighter option, this variation uses lean ground turkey, brown rice, and a blend of low-fat cheeses. It also incorporates a variety of healthy vegetables, including zucchini, carrots, and spinach. The result is a flavorful and nutritious casserole that won't compromise on taste.

Both variations are easy to prepare and can be customized to suit your preferences. Whether you prefer a classic or a healthier version, this Cheesy Mexi-Rice Casserole is a versatile dish that promises a satisfying and flavorful experience.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

MEXICAN RICE CASSEROLE

Mexican Rice Casserole image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 tablespoons canola oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 to 1 whole large onion, chopped
4 cups long grain rice
Two 14.5-ounce cans whole tomatoes
One 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles, such as Rotel
1 teaspoon cumin (or more to taste)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
6 to 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (more if needed)
1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar
Fresh cilantro, chopped, for serving

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Heat the oil in a large dutch oven and add the garlic and onions. Cook, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the rice. Stir constantly, making sure the rice doesn't burn. Cook over low heat, about 3 minutes.
Next, add the whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes, cumin, salt, pepper, cayenne and turmeric. Stir to combine and let cook, about 2 minutes. Finally, add the chicken broth and stir the mixture together. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce heat to low. Cover, and simmer until the rice is not quite done, 10 to 15 minutes.
Top with the cheese, and then bake with the lid off until the cheese is melted and the rice fully cooked, about 15 minutes. Serve with chopped cilantro.

MEXICAN BEEF AND RICE CASSEROLE

Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole image

This Mexican casserole with beef and rice is a super easy recipe for family dinner. Garnish with your favorite toppings. I like to top with shredded lettuce and chopped cilantro! More shredded cheese is always good, too.

Provided by VMB

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican

Time 1h25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

nonstick cooking spray
1 pound ground beef
1 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
1 (14 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 bunch fresh spinach, trimmed and coarsely chopped
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
1 cup long-grain rice
1 cup red salsa

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and start to brown, then add onion, garlic, and taco seasoning. Cook until beef is no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard any excess oil. Add beans, tomatoes, spinach, chicken broth, 1 cup Mexican blend cheese, rice, and salsa. Pour into the prepared casserole dish.
Bake in the preheated oven until rice is cooked, 45 to 50 minutes. Take out of the oven, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 423.5 calories, Carbohydrate 36.2 g, Cholesterol 68.2 mg, Fat 20.3 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 24.8 g, SaturatedFat 11.2 g, Sodium 1034.6 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

CHEESY MEXICAN CASSEROLE

Cheesy Mexican Casserole image

Chicken, cheese, and spices. You can substitute Cheddar cheese for the Mexican-style cheese blend, if desired.

Provided by Texasgal60

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

cooking spray
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (8 ounce) container fat-free sour cream
1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chilies
½ cup low-fat milk
2 ½ cups cooked, shredded chicken breast meat
8 (6 inch) yellow corn tortillas, torn into bite-size pieces
1 teaspoon taco seasoning mix, or more to taste
1 large tomato, chopped
1 ½ cups shredded Mexican-style cheese blend, divided

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Stir condensed soup, sour cream, green chilies, and milk together in a large bowl. Add chicken, tortilla pieces, and taco seasoning; stir. Mix tomato and 1 cup Mexican-style cheese blend into chicken mixture.
Spread chicken mixture out into the prepared baking dish and cover the dish with aluminum foil.
Bake casserole in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Discard aluminum foil. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top of the casserole and continue baking until cheese melts and casserole is bubbling, 5 to 10 minutes more. Let rest for 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 286.9 calories, Carbohydrate 21.8 g, Cholesterol 60.2 mg, Fat 12.4 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 21.7 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Sodium 689.9 mg, Sugar 4.6 g

SPICY MEXICAN CHEESY RICE CASSEROLE

Spicy Mexican Cheesy Rice Casserole image

Make and share this Spicy Mexican Cheesy Rice Casserole recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Millereg

Categories One Dish Meal

Time 55m

Yield 4-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese or 1/2 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
4 ounces green chilies, chopped
4 green onions, chopped
2 ounces red peppers, chopped
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons recaito (cilantro-based seasoning)
1/2 teaspoon cumin
chili powder, to taste
salt, to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper (or more, to taste)
red pepper flakes, to taste

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a medium bowl, combine cooked rice with cheese, chilies, and green onions.
Mix together.
In a small bowl, stir together sour cream, Recaito, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.
Add to rice mixture and stir thoroughly.
Spray an oven-proof casserole dish with vegetable oil spray.
Spread rice mixture in casserole bake uncovered for approximately 30–40 minutes until cheese melts.
Top with additional cheese, if desired.

Tips:

Use quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in this casserole. Use the best quality cheese, rice, and vegetables that you can find.
Don't overcook the rice: The rice should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked rice will make the casserole mushy.
Use a variety of vegetables: This recipe is a great way to use up leftover vegetables. Feel free to add any vegetables that you like, such as bell peppers, corn, or black beans.
Season the casserole well: This casserole is packed with flavor, thanks to the combination of spices, cheese, and vegetables. Be sure to season it well with salt, pepper, and chili powder.
Top the casserole with cheese: A layer of cheese on top of the casserole will give it a golden brown crust and make it even more delicious.

Conclusion:

This Cheesy Mexi-Rice Casserole is a quick and easy meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. It is also a great way to use up leftover rice and vegetables. With its combination of flavors and textures, this casserole is sure to be a hit with the whole family. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this Cheesy Mexi-Rice Casserole a try. You won't be disappointed!