Spicy Rice and Ground Beef Casserole

Name: Spicy Rice and Ground Beef Casserole
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 cups
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef (15% fat) 1 medium onion; chopped 1 small bell pepper or jalapeño pepper; chopped 1 cup rice; uncooked 2 cups chopped tomato; fresh or canned; with juice 2 cups water 1 Tablespoon chili powder (or more to taste) 1 Tablespoon oregano 1 teaspoon salt ½ cup (2 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

A hearty and tasty dish that combines filling rice, lean ground beef, southwest-style veggies and creamy cheddar cheese.

Cooking for a Crowd

Use these recipe sheets to prepare for larger groups:

Casserole dish with rice, beef and vegetables with melted cheddar cheese.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Makes: 8 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (15% fat)

1 medium onion, chopped

1 small bell pepper or jalapeño pepper, chopped

1 cup rice, uncooked

2 cups chopped tomato, fresh or canned, with juice

2 cups water

1 Tablespoon chili powder (or more to taste)

1 Tablespoon oregano

1 teaspoon salt

½ cup (2 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Wash hands with soap and water.
Brown meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat (350 degrees F in an electric skillet). Drain fat (see Notes).
Add onion and peppers and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until vegetables are soft.
Add rice, tomato, 2 cups water, and spices. Mix well and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add more water if needed.
Sprinkle with cheese and serve.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

Try brown rice and simmer for 10 more minutes.
If using instant rice, reduce water to 1 cup.
Try ground turkey in place of beef.
Try adding cilantro on top for more flavor.
Pour fat from cooked meat into a metal container. Let it cool, then dispose of it in a garbage can.

Comments

Submitted by tierrabonita on Sat, 11/09/2019 - 07:17

This is a great recipe to keep as a "go-to" for our family! We have made it many different ways, often with 2 cups of beans instead of the beef, and we have used it to fill tacos or top nachos. We often serve it with salsa, queso fresco and avocado - staples in our house.

Submitted by watkinbr on Thu, 12/20/2018 - 15:56

This is perfect for my husband and I. We do the bell pepper, and then he adds hot sauce to his plate because I don't like spicy foods. I like how this is only 10 minutes of prep and while it cooks, you can do the dishes!

Submitted by LavenderLady on Tue, 01/12/2016 - 10:00

A tasty, quick and easy to prepare meal. I prepared last night for a Parenting Class with adults and youth. Because I used green bell pepper and had bottled hot sauce available, all could have the level of heat they preferred. It seemed to be a hit and they liked how simple it was to make.

Submitted by healthnut23 on Wed, 12/14/2011 - 17:10

Good! A little spicy but perfect for winter!