A hearty and tasty dish that combines filling rice, lean ground beef, southwest-style veggies and creamy cheddar cheese.
Spicy Rice and Ground Beef Casserole
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.
- Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
- 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.
You might also like...
Tofu "Egg" Salad

Tofu "Egg" Salad
A great make-ahead lunch idea with crunchy celery and a creamy dressing.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
1 Cup
Wheat Berry Salad

Wheat Berry Salad
Whole grains and fresh vegetables make this salad filling and satisfying.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
60 minutes
Makes:
6 Cups
French Toast

French Toast
A breakfast classic, packed full of cinnamon. Top with your favorite fruits or sauces.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 slices
Hot Apple Orange Cider

Hot Apple Orange Cider
Warm and flavorful drink that comforting on a cold fall day and perfect for celebrating the holiday season.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
2 hours
Makes:
12 cups
Baked Bananas with Pecans

Baked Bananas with Pecans
Quick and easy dessert with brown sugar, raisins and pecans. A fun recipe for kids to make!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
6 Bananas
Slow Cooker Mushroom and Red Lentil Stew

Slow Cooker Mushroom and Red Lentil Stew
Enjoy a bowl of this slow cooker stew that is full of vegetables and umami flavors.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
3 to 8 hours
Makes:
10 cups
Comments
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.
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!
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.
Good! A little spicy but perfect for winter!