Cheesy Taco Rice Casserole
This Easy Cheesy Taco Rice Casserole is everything you love about taco night baked into one comforting dish! Made with seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, melty cheese, and zesty taco flavors, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Why I Love This Taco Tuesday Casserole
If you’re looking for a quick and hearty weeknight dinner that brings all the flavors of taco night to the table with zero fuss, this Easy Cheesy Taco Rice Casserole is just the ticket!
This is my take on the popular casserole “Grandma’s Rice Dish”. While the original was good, for me the flavors just didn’t compliment each other.
My version is packed with fiesta-seasoned ground beef, onion, fluffy rice, black olives, and plenty of gooey melted cheese. It’s so good that my 2-year-old grandson ate 5 helpings! And if a casserole is toddler-approved . . .it’s a keeper! (Am I right Moms or am I right?)
It’s everything you love about tacos . . .comforting, cheesy, and full of flavor . . .baked into a warm and bubbly casserole that’s perfect for busy nights. With school back in full swing, we’re all looking for easy dinner ideas and this is one you’ll want to add to your meal plan menu!
So . . .grab your apron and let’s get cooking! This dish, from start to finish, is ready in 40 minutes or less!
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Chopped onion
- Diced green Chile peppers
- Long grain rice — this is the perfect casserole to use leftover rice in.
- Petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- Whole kernel corn, drained
- Sliced olives, drained
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Taco seasoning
- Shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Crushed corn chips — I like to use Frito’s
How to Make Ground Beef Taco Casserole
Preheat oven to 350°(F). Grease a 9×13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray, and set it aside.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef until meat is no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, and until the onion is tender. Drain off any excess fat.
NORINE’S PRO TIP: When “browning ground beef”, be sure there is no pink left in the ground beef. It should be thoroughly cooked.
In the same skillet as the browned ground beef, or a large bowl, stir in cooked rice, tomatoes, corn, olives, Chile peppers, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and taco seasonings. Add in one cup of grated cheese.
Mix until completely combined. I love all the colors in this dish! So much flavor going on here in this simple casserole.
Note: Remember you can combine all the ingredients in the same skillet you cooked the beef in if it is large enough and save yourself another dirty dish!
Transfer the combined ingredients into the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly in casserole dish.
Top with remaining cheese and crushed corn chips.
TIP: You can use tortilla chips if preferred. I like to use frito’s in this casserole as the kids like it better.
Baking Instructions
Bake in a preheated oven, uncovered, for 20–25 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted. Since all the ingredients that need to be cooked are already cooked; the meat and rice, the cooking time for this casserole is minimal.
Remove from oven and serve immediately.
Recipe Wrap-Up
I like to garnish this casserole with freshly chopped cilantro and sour cream. However, you can serve it as is. It pairs beautifully with a quick garden salad for a complete meal!
Tips: This casserole can be made ahead of time, and frozen, minus the corn chips! Add the corn chips before baking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and reheated in the microwave.
The reality is, whether you serve this dish with a side of chips and my fresh salsa recipe, a fresh green salad, or just a dollop of sour cream on top, this Taco Rice Casserole is a surefire crowd-pleaser. (Just ask my two-year-old grandson…he’s the one with taco casserole all over his face! Lol)
It’s simple, satisfying, and guaranteed to disappear fast at the dinner table. The best part? Leftovers (if there are any!) taste just as good the next day.
Favorite Family Casserole Recipes
- Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
- Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
- Chicken Bubble Biscuit Bake Casserole
- Cashew Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Tortilla Casserole
This easy casserole is proof that taco night doesn’t always need shells—it just needs cheese, rice, and a hungry family ready to dig in!
Happy Nesting Friends!
Printable Recipe Card
Cheesy Taco Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ⅓ cup onion chopped
- 1- 4-ounce can diced green chile peppers
- 2- cups long grain rice cooked
- 1- 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, not drained
- 1- 11-ounce can whole kernel corn drained
- 1- 2¼ ounce can sliced olives drained
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded, divided
- ¾ cup corn chips crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°(F) degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef and onions. Cook until meat is no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, and the onions are tender; drain.
- Stir in rice, green chile peppers, tomatoes, corn, olives, seasonings. Stir in one cup of cheese.
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of cheese. Sprinkle with crushed corn chips. Bake, uncovered, 20–25 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition
Meet the Author
Hi! I’m Norine, the cook, baker, and recipe creator behind Norine’s Nest. I love sharing and creating recipes that invite family, friends, and neighbors to gather around the dinner table. Sharing good food and creating memories with those we love brings me happiness. Thanks for stopping by my Nest!
I just put this casserole in the oven for the 6th time! We love it! The only change I’ve made is omitting the olives and adding black beans. After it comes out of the oven I top it with salsa and it is delicious. I’ve been making it almost weekly. So thanks for the recipe.
Hi Rhianna!
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing with us. I’m so glad you and your family love this casserole. I think it’s a great budget stretcher…which we all can use right now. I love your changes with the added protein from the black beans. I will try that the next time I make this casserole.
Thanks again and come back soon.
Norine
This is easy and very good flavor! It reminds me of a casserole my Mother used to make called Tamale Pie! Much easier to prepare this. It also works well as a make and refrigerate dish which can be reheated successfully in the microwave! I think next time I might add a drained can of pinquito or black beans to it as well. Kudos to you!