Comforting casserole of beef, rice, beans, cheese, and spices baked with Tex-Mex tomato sauce.
# Components:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 pound lean ground beef
02 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Grains
06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
→ Sauces & Liquids
07 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
08 - 1 cup beef broth
09 - 1/2 cup tomato sauce
→ Dairy
10 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnishes (optional)
17 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Sliced jalapeños
19 - Sour cream
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with oil or nonstick spray.
02 - In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it apart and draining excess fat as needed.
03 - Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables have softened.
04 - Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring to release aromas.
05 - Add uncooked long-grain white rice, diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, and beef broth to the skillet. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute ingredients.
06 - Fold in drained black beans and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, reserving the rest for topping.
07 - Evenly spread the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
08 - Remove foil, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the surface, and return to oven uncovered for 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and rice is tender.
09 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and sour cream.
