Quick & Zesty Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice Recipe

Hearty beef enchilada casserole brings comfort and warmth to any dinner table, revamping simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Layers of rich, seasoned meat and soft tortillas create a satisfying meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Mexican-inspired flavors dance through each carefully crafted bite, promising a delightful experience for hungry families.

Cheese melts beautifully between tender ingredients, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Home cooks appreciate how this dish combines convenience with authentic southwestern culinary traditions.

The combination of spices and carefully selected components elevates this casserole from ordinary to extraordinary.

Weekend gatherings or weeknight dinners will never be the same once you master this soul-satisfying recipe.

Why Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice Is Weeknight Gold

• Whip Up a Hearty Comfort Meal: This beef enchilada casserole delivers a warm, satisfying dinner that combines rich ground beef, zesty spices, and melted cheese in one delicious one-dish wonder.
• Customize with Incredible Flexibility: Perfect for busy families, this recipe allows easy ingredient swaps like using different proteins, beans, or adding extra vegetables to match personal tastes and dietary needs.
• Create a Speedy Weeknight Champion: From start to finish, this casserole takes less than 45 minutes to prepare, making it an ideal solution for quick, nutritious meals when time is tight and hunger is high.
• Pack Layers of Exciting Flavors: The combination of enchilada sauce, multiple spices, and diverse ingredients like black beans and corn creates a complex, mouth-watering taste profile that keeps every bite interesting and delicious.

Ingredients for a Beef Enchilada and Rice Bake

• Ground Beef: Hearty and flavorful protein that forms the main body of the casserole, best when lean for less grease.
• Black Beans: Protein-rich legume that adds texture and nutrition to the dish.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor base that builds depth and aromatic foundation for the casserole.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and tangy brightness to the meat mixture.
• Corn: Sweet vegetable that provides texture and color contrast.
• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor for garnish and brightness.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that brings a classic Mexican-inspired freshness.

• Enchilada Sauce: Core liquid component that provides traditional Mexican flavor profile.
• Slap Ya Mama Seasoning: Spicy blend that adds complex heat and depth.
• Chili Powder: Signature Mexican-style spice with warm, earthy notes.
• Cumin: Smoky, warm spice essential in Mexican cuisine.
• Garlic Powder: Concentrated garlic flavor for additional depth.
• Black Pepper: Basic seasoning for overall flavor enhancement.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds optional extra heat and spice.

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Melty topping that provides rich, tangy flavor.
• Cooked Rice: Filling base that stretches the casserole and adds substance.

How to Layer and Bake Beef Enchilada Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C).

Grab a 3-quart casserole dish and give it a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Brown The Beef Blend

Heat a large skillet over medium flame.

• Beef turns completely brown
• Onions become soft and translucent
• About 7-8 minutes of sizzling action

Sprinkle in minced garlic and let it dance for 2 more minutes.

Drain away any extra grease.

Step 3: Create The Flavor Explosion

• Diced tomatoes
• Enchilada sauce
• Black beans
• Corn kernels
• Cooked rice

• Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Stir everything until they become best friends.

Let the mixture simmer and get acquainted for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Build The Casserole Tower

Spread the beef and rice mixture into the prepared dish.

Create an even landscape across the dish.

Shower generously with shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 5: Melt And Bubble

Slide the dish into the preheated oven.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbly blanket.

Step 6: Finish With Fresh Touches

Pull the casserole from the oven.

• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Sliced green onions

Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Tips for Keeping It Saucy and Satisfying

• Drain Beef Thoroughly: Remove excess fat completely to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
• Rice Texture Matters: Use slightly undercooked rice as it will continue absorbing moisture during baking, preventing a mushy final dish.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow cheese to set and become more creamy and spreadable.
• Spice Control: Adjust seasonings gradually, tasting as you go to balance heat and flavor without overwhelming the dish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for deeper, more developed flavors.

Storing and Reheating Casserole Without Mushy Rice

• Refrigeration: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 2 months. Place in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For larger servings, reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 15-20 minutes until heated completely, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

What to Serve with Enchilada Casserole

• Pair with Zesty Margarita: Complement the bold, spicy flavors of the beef enchilada casserole with a tangy margarita. The citrusy lime and tequila will cut through the richness of the dish, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
• Serve with Cool Sour Cream Topping: Add a dollop of cold, creamy sour cream on top of the hot casserole. This will provide a refreshing contrast to the spicy seasonings and help cool down the heat.
• Match with Fresh Avocado Salad: Create a light side salad with diced avocados, tomatoes, and a squeeze of lime. The creamy avocado and bright citrus will complement the hearty casserole and add a fresh element to the meal.
• Complement with Mexican Cerveza: Choose a crisp, light Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo. The beer's clean, refreshing taste will help balance the rich, spicy flavors of the enchilada casserole.

Enchilada Casserole Variations to Try

• Spicy Southwest Kick: Replace ground beef with shredded chicken and add extra red pepper flakes for a fiery version that brings bold southwestern heat.
• Vegetarian Garden Blend: Swap beef with black beans, add diced bell peppers, zucchini, and plant-based protein crumbles for a nutrient-packed meatless alternative.
• Tex-Mex Green Chile Edition: Incorporate roasted green chiles, use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar, and sprinkle diced jalapeños for an authentic Mexican-inspired flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Fusion Approach: Substitute ground beef with lamb, add oregano and feta cheese, mix in kalamata olives for a unique cross-cultural culinary experience.

Beef Enchilada Casserole with Rice Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican comfort cuisine reaches new heights with this hearty beef enchilada casserole. Layers of seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and warm tortillas create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef

Vegetables and Beans:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 ounces (411 grams) diced tomatoes
• 15 ounces (425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounces (425 grams) corn, drained

Seasonings and Other Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 10.75 ounces (305 grams) red enchilada sauce

Topping:

• 1.5 cups (340 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.33 cup (80 milliliters) chopped cilantro
• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) sliced green onions

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Instructions

1. Warm the kitchen oven to a moderate 350°F, preparing a 3-quart casserole dish with a light coating of non-stick spray.
2. In a spacious skillet, brown ground beef with diced onions until meat loses its raw appearance and vegetables soften, releasing aromatic flavors.
3. Introduce minced garlic to the sizzling mixture, allowing its pungent notes to develop for a brief moment. Carefully drain accumulated fat, returning skillet to heat.
4. Blend diced tomatoes, robust enchilada sauce, hearty black beans, sweet corn kernels, and fluffy cooked rice into the meat mixture. Sprinkle in zesty seasonings like Slap Ya Mama, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
5. Simmer the vibrant concoction, stirring periodically to prevent scorching, until ingredients meld and heat thoroughly, creating a rich, unified filling.
6. Transfer the steaming mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly to ensure consistent flavor distribution.
7. Generously crown the dish with a blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, promising a golden, melted topping.
8. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing cheese to transform into a molten, bubbling landscape for approximately 15-20 minutes.
9. Once emerged from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and delicate green onion slices for a burst of color and freshness.
10. Serve immediately, inviting diners to enjoy this comforting, flavor-packed meal.

Notes

• Maximize flavor by using fresh, high-quality ground beef for a rich, hearty base that elevates the entire casserole’s taste profile.
• Layer ingredients strategically to ensure each bite delivers a perfect blend of spicy, cheesy, and savory elements that’ll make taste buds dance.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes and Slap Ya Mama seasoning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 554
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 920 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 94 mg