Beef Enchilada Casserole With Rice Recipe
Let's talk about a crowd-pleasing dish that'll transform your weeknight dinner routine: beef enchilada casserole with rice. You'll love how this recipe combines simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal that feels like a shortcut to authentic Mexican flavors. It's a one-pan wonder that'll have your family asking for seconds, blending seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese into a comfort food masterpiece that's both easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying.
Recipe Highlights
- A Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice requires ground beef, rice, enchilada sauce, cheese, and taco seasoning as primary ingredients.
- Brown ground beef with taco seasoning, then layer it over cooked white rice in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Pour red enchilada sauce generously over the beef and rice layers, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor.
- Top the casserole with shredded Mexican cheese blend and bake until cheese is melted and edges are bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking to help layers set and improve overall taste and texture.
History
Although enchiladas have deep roots in Mexican culinary tradition, the casserole version represents a modern American adaptation that transforms the classic dish.
You'll find this version emerged in the mid-20th century as home cooks sought convenient, family-friendly meal solutions. Mexican immigrants and Tex-Mex cuisine heavily influenced its development, blending traditional flavors with practical American cooking techniques.
The casserole format simplified the labor-intensive process of rolling individual enchiladas, making the meal more accessible to busy households. By layering ingredients instead of wrapping them, you create a dish that's both time-efficient and delicious.
This approach allows home cooks to capture authentic Mexican flavor profiles while reducing preparation time, essentially democratizing a beloved culinary tradition for everyday families.
Recipe
Beef Enchilada Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal that brings together the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine with the simplicity of a family-friendly casserole. This recipe transforms traditional enchilada preparation into an easy-to-make dinner that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.
By layering seasoned ground beef, rice, enchilada sauce, and melted cheese, home cooks can create a delicious meal that feeds a crowd and satisfies even the pickiest eaters. The dish captures all the traditional flavors of enchiladas while eliminating the time-consuming process of individual tortilla rolling.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 2 (15 oz) cans red enchilada sauce
- 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, then drain any excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning, ensuring the meat is evenly coated with the spices.
Begin layering the casserole by spreading half of the cooked rice across the bottom of the baking dish. Top the rice with half of the seasoned beef, then pour half of the enchilada sauce over the meat. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese.
Repeat the layers, ending with a final layer of cheese on top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown. Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
For best results, use freshly cooked rice that has cooled slightly, and consider garnishing with chopped cilantro or sliced green onions for added freshness.
Cooking Steps
Start by browning your ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it into crumbles and stirring in the taco seasoning until it's evenly coated and fragrant.
Layer half of your cooked rice in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish, then spread the seasoned beef across the rice in an even, appetizing layer.
Pour enchilada sauce generously over the beef, ensuring good coverage, and sprinkle the remaining shredded Mexican cheese blend across the top to create a golden, melty finish.
Step 1. Brown Ground Beef
Fire up your skillet and get ready to transform that ground beef into a flavorful foundation for your Beef Enchilada Casserole.
Start by placing a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the 2 pounds of ground beef. Break the meat into small, even crumbles using a wooden spatula or sturdy cooking utensil, ensuring uniform cooking and preventing large chunks.
Watch for the beef to change color from pink to a rich, brown tone, which typically takes 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed, keeping the meat moist but not greasy.
Once the beef is perfectly browned, sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the meat, stirring thoroughly to coat each morsel with the zesty, spice-laden mixture. The seasoned beef will now be ready to become the heart of your delicious casserole.
Step 2. Layer Half Rice
First, grab your perfectly cooked white rice, which should measure exactly 3 cups, and spread half of it evenly across the bottom of your 9×13 baking dish.
You'll want to create a uniform layer that covers the entire base, ensuring each bite will have a consistent rice foundation. Press the rice gently with the back of a spoon to create a compact, even surface that'll support the upcoming layers of beef and cheese.
- Use light, gentle motions when spreading the rice
- Aim for a thickness of about 1/2 inch across the dish
- Ensure no large gaps or holes remain in the rice layer
This initial rice layer provides a sturdy, flavorful base for your enchilada casserole.
Step 3. Layer Seasoned Beef Evenly
Because layering your seasoned beef is crucial to creating a delicious enchilada casserole, you'll want to distribute the meat strategically across the rice foundation.
Use a large spoon or spatula to spread the ground beef evenly, ensuring each bite will have a consistent flavor profile. Aim to create a uniform layer about 1/2-inch thick, covering the rice completely without leaving significant gaps.
Press the meat gently to help it settle into the underlying rice layer, which helps create a more cohesive texture. Watch for any clumps and break them down carefully, creating a smooth, even surface.
This methodical approach guarantees that every portion of your casserole will have the perfect beef-to-rice ratio, maximizing flavor and ensuring a satisfying meal for everyone at the table.
Step 4. Pour Enchilada Sauce
After evenly spreading your seasoned beef across the rice, you'll want to coat the layers with rich, vibrant enchilada sauce.
Carefully pour one entire can of red enchilada sauce over the first layer, ensuring complete coverage. Use a large spoon or spatula to distribute the sauce evenly, creating a uniform moisture level that'll help bind your casserole ingredients. Let the sauce seep between the beef and rice, creating delicious flavor pockets.
When you reach the second layer, repeat the process with the second can of enchilada sauce, again making sure every inch of the casserole receives a generous coating.
The sauce should look glossy and deeply red, promising a robust, authentic Mexican-inspired flavor profile that'll make your casserole irresistibly moist and delectable.
Step 5. Sprinkle Remaining Cheese
Once your first two layers of beef, rice, sauce, and cheese are carefully constructed, you'll want to crown your enchilada casserole with the remaining cheese, creating a golden, melty top that'll make mouths water.
Sprinkle the last 1½ cups of shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly across the surface, ensuring complete coverage. Key tips for perfect cheese distribution include:
- Use a light, even hand
- Start from the edges, working toward the center
- Aim for a consistent layer about ¼-inch thick
The cheese will melt and bubble, transforming into a gorgeous golden-brown crust during the final 10 minutes of baking.
This final cheese layer not only adds richness but creates an irresistible visual and textural finish that elevates your entire casserole.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're a busy home cook or a Mexican cuisine enthusiast, this beef enchilada casserole offers a foolproof and delicious meal that'll quickly become a family favorite.
You'll appreciate how simple ingredients transform into a hearty, restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort. The layered approach ensures each bite is packed with seasoned beef, tangy enchilada sauce, and melted cheese, creating a symphony of flavors that'll satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Consider this recipe a weeknight lifesaver that combines convenience with authentic Mexican-inspired taste.
Pro tip: Don't rush the cooling process after baking; letting the casserole rest for 10 minutes helps the layers set and makes serving much easier. Your family will thank you for this comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.
