Why You’ll Love Beef Queso Taco Rice Casserole
Recipe
This casserole combines familiar taco-night flavors with the convenience of an easy baked dinner. The seasoned ground beef makes it hearty, while the taco rice cooks directly in the casserole with beef broth and salsa for plenty of flavor.
It is also wonderfully cheesy. A layer of Mexican blend cheese melts over the seasoned beef during baking, and warm queso is poured over the top for an extra creamy finish.
With 8 servings, this recipe works especially well when feeding a family or group. Most of the cooking time happens in the oven, and leftovers are easy to store and reheat for another meal.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1-ounce packet taco seasoning
- Water, according to the taco seasoning packet instructions
- 2 (5.4-ounce) packets Knorr taco rice
- 1 cup beef broth, preferably low-sodium or no-sodium if desired
- 1 (16-ounce) jar salsa
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
- 1 (15-ounce) jar queso
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, optional, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until completely browned and cooked through.
- Drain off any excess grease and return the beef to the skillet. Add the taco seasoning along with the amount of water called for on the seasoning packet. Cook according to the packet directions until the beef is thoroughly coated and seasoned. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, combine the taco rice, beef broth, salsa, and 1 ½ cups water. Stir thoroughly so the rice and liquids are evenly distributed.
- Spoon the prepared taco meat evenly over the rice mixture.
- Sprinkle the Mexican blend shredded cheese over the beef, making sure it is evenly distributed across the casserole.
- Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place it on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes.
- Near the end of the baking time, warm the queso. Remove the lid from the jar and heat the queso in the microwave in 15- to 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until smooth and easy to pour. Cover the container loosely with a paper towel and place it on a microwave-safe plate to catch any spills.
- After the casserole has baked for 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Pour the warmed queso evenly over the casserole.
- Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes.
- Remove it from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Servings and timing
Servings: 8
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Oven temperature: 350°F
Covered baking time: 45 minutes
Uncovered baking time: 15 minutes
Resting time: 5 to 10 minutes
This casserole is best served warm after a short resting period. Resting allows the rice and cheese layers to settle slightly, making the casserole easier to portion and serve.
Variations
Spicy Beef Queso Taco Rice Casserole: Choose a hot salsa and spicy queso, or add diced jalapeños to the ground beef for extra heat.
Black Bean Version: Stir a drained and rinsed can of black beans into the seasoned beef. This adds extra texture and stretches the casserole into an even heartier meal.
Corn and Beef Casserole: Add drained canned corn or thawed frozen corn to the rice mixture before baking. The sweetness of the corn pairs nicely with the salsa and taco seasoning.
Extra Cheesy Casserole: Add another ½ to 1 cup of shredded Mexican blend cheese before covering and baking the casserole.
Pepper Jack Version: Replace some of the Mexican blend cheese with shredded pepper Jack for a slightly spicier, creamier cheese layer.
Ground Turkey Version: Substitute ground turkey for the ground beef. Prepare and season it in the same way, making sure the turkey is fully cooked before adding it to the casserole.
Taco Topping Version: Serve individual portions with your favorite taco toppings, such as diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, avocado, sour cream, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips.
Mild Family Version: Use mild taco seasoning, mild salsa, and a mild queso to keep the casserole flavorful without adding too much heat.
Storage/Reheating
Refrigerator: Allow leftover casserole to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days.
Freezer: Individual portions can be placed in freezer-safe containers and frozen for up to 2 to 3 months. Keep in mind that the texture of the rice and queso may become slightly softer after freezing and thawing.
Thawing: For the best results, transfer frozen casserole to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight before reheating.
Microwave: Place an individual portion on a microwave-safe plate or in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat until hot throughout, stirring or rotating the portion when practical so it reheats evenly.
Oven: Place leftovers in an oven-safe baking dish and cover with foil to help prevent the casserole from drying out. Reheat at 350°F until thoroughly heated.
If the rice seems a little dry after refrigeration, adding a small spoonful of salsa, queso, or beef broth before reheating can help restore moisture.
FAQs
Can I make Beef Queso Taco Rice Casserole ahead of time?
You can prepare the taco meat ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to assemble the casserole. For the best rice texture, assemble the rice and liquid portion shortly before baking rather than allowing uncooked rice to sit in the liquid for an extended period.
Can I use a different kind of ground meat?
Yes. Ground turkey or ground chicken can replace the ground beef. Cook the meat completely, drain excess liquid if necessary, and season it with taco seasoning before assembling the casserole.
What kind of salsa works best?
Use a salsa you already enjoy since its flavor will season the rice throughout the casserole. Mild, medium, or hot salsa can all work depending on your preferred spice level. A relatively smooth or moderately chunky salsa is particularly easy to distribute throughout the rice.
Can I make this casserole spicier?
Yes. Use hot salsa, spicy queso, or hot taco seasoning. You can also mix diced jalapeños, green chiles, or a little hot sauce into the beef mixture.
Why does the casserole need to be covered with foil?
Covering the dish traps steam while the casserole bakes. That moisture is important because it helps the rice cook and absorb the broth, salsa, and water without the top drying out too quickly.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or a combination of your favorite melting cheeses can be substituted for the Mexican blend cheese.
How do I know when the casserole is done?
The rice should be tender and the liquid should be absorbed. The casserole should also be hot throughout, with fully melted cheese and warm queso covering the top.
What should I serve with Beef Queso Taco Rice Casserole?
The casserole is hearty enough to serve as a complete meal, but it also pairs well with a simple green salad, corn, beans, guacamole, avocado, or tortilla chips. Fresh taco toppings can also be served on the side.
Can I add vegetables to the casserole?
Yes. Corn, diced bell peppers, green chiles, or drained black beans are easy additions. Avoid adding large quantities of watery vegetables because extra moisture can affect how the rice cooks.
Why should I let the casserole rest before serving?
Allowing the casserole to rest for 5 to 10 minutes gives the rice time to absorb any remaining moisture and helps the cheesy layers settle. This makes the finished casserole easier to scoop and serve.
Conclusion
Beef Queso Taco Rice Casserole turns taco-night favorites into an easy, comforting meal that can feed the whole family. Seasoned ground beef, flavorful taco rice, salsa, melted cheese, and creamy queso come together in every hearty serving.
With simple preparation and most of the cooking handled by the oven, it is an excellent option for busy dinners as well as casual gatherings. Serve it straight from the casserole dish with your favorite taco toppings for a warm, cheesy meal that is easy to customize and just as convenient to enjoy as leftovers.
Beef Queso Taco Rice Casserole
A hearty Beef Queso Taco Rice Casserole loaded with seasoned ground beef, flavorful taco rice, salsa, melted Mexican cheese, and creamy queso. An easy, cheesy dinner that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 ounce packet taco seasoning
- water (use amount needed on back of seasoning packet instructions)
- 2 (5.4 ounce) packets Knorr taco rice
- 1 cup beef broth (can use low or no sodium)
- 16 ounce jar salsa (use your favorite)
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
- 15 ounce jar queso
- fresh cilantro or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease and return the beef to the skillet. Stir in the taco seasoning and the amount of water called for on the seasoning packet. Cook according to the packet instructions, then set aside.
- In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, combine the taco rice, beef broth, salsa, and 1 ½ cups water. Stir until well mixed.
- Evenly sprinkle the cooked taco meat over the rice mixture.
- Sprinkle the Mexican blend shredded cheese evenly over the taco meat. Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil.
- Bake on the middle rack for 45 minutes.
- While the casserole bakes, warm the queso in the microwave in 15-20 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until smooth and pourable.
- After 45 minutes, remove the foil and pour the warmed queso evenly over the casserole. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired, and serve.
Notes
- Use your favorite taco seasoning and prepare it with the amount of water specified on the packet.
- Low-sodium or no-sodium beef broth can be used to reduce the sodium.
- Choose your favorite salsa and adjust the heat level to your preference.
- When microwaving the queso, remove the lid and cover the container with a paper towel. Place it on a plate to catch any spills.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving so it can set slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 casserole
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1450 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
