Great choice! ๐ A One Pot Mexican Casserole is hearty, cheesy, flavorful, and perfect for a family dinner. Itโs loaded with ground beef (or chicken), beans, corn, tomatoes, rice, and topped with melty cheese โ all cooked in one pot for easy cleanup.
Hereโs the detailed recipe:
๐ฎ One Pot Mexican Casserole Recipe
๐ Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 500g (1 lb) ground beef (or ground chicken/turkey)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ยฝ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder ๐ถ๏ธ
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ยฝ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for smoky flavor)
- 1 cup long-grain rice (uncooked)
- 1 can (400g/14 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 can (400g/14 oz) black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned, drained)
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce (or salsa for extra flavor)
- 1 ยฝ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese ๐ง
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped)
- Juice of 1 lime
Optional Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Avocado slices or guacamole ๐ฅ
- Jalapeรฑo slices
- Extra cilantro
- Tortilla chips
๐ฉโ๐ณ Instructions
Step 1 โ Sautรฉ Base
- In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and sautรฉ for 3โ4 minutes until softened.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 2 โ Cook the Meat
- Add ground beef to the skillet.
- Cook for 6โ7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Cook for another minute to bloom the spices.
Step 3 โ Add Rice & Liquids
- Stir in the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes (with juice), black beans, corn, broth, and tomato sauce (or salsa).
- Mix well, ensuring rice is submerged in the liquid.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Cover and simmer for 20โ25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is cooked and most liquid is absorbed.
Step 4 โ Make it Cheesy
- Once the rice is tender, turn off the heat.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover with lid for 2โ3 minutes until cheese melts into gooey deliciousness.
Step 5 โ Finish & Serve
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the casserole.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro.
- Serve hot with your choice of toppings: sour cream, avocado, jalapeรฑos, or tortilla chips.
๐ Tips & Variations
- Spicy kick: Add chopped jalapeรฑos or extra chili powder while cooking.
- Chicken version: Use ground chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef.
- Veggie option: Skip the meat and add extra beans (kidney beans, pinto beans) and bell peppers.
- Baked version: After cooking, transfer to a casserole dish, top with cheese, and bake at 375ยฐF (190ยฐC) for 10 minutes.
๐ฅ This One Pot Mexican Casserole is cozy, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights โ minimal cleanup, maximum flavor!
Would you like me to also write a quick 30-minute version of this recipe (using pre-cooked rice and rotisserie chicken)?


