A comforting blend of flavors in this Texas Rice Casserole featuring savory ground beef and gooey cheese.
Author:Maya Rowan
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:1 hour
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Southern
Diet:Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups Water
1 cup Uncooked Long Grain White Rice
6 slices Bacon
1 pound Ground Beef
1 Onion (Chopped)
1 Green Bell Pepper (Chopped)
1 can RO*TEL Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies
1 teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
Optional Vegetables (e.g., corn or green beans)
Optional Spices (jalapeños or hot sauce)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
Prepare the Rice: Rinse 1 cup of uncooked long grain white rice under cold water to remove excess starch.
Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil and add the rinsed rice. Cover and reduce the heat to low for 20 minutes.
Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook 6 slices of raw bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes.
Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet with the bacon drippings, sauté 1 chopped onion and 1 chopped green bell pepper over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
Brown the Ground Beef: Add 1 pound of ground beef to the skillet, season with 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, and cook until browned.
Combine the Ingredients: In a large baking dish, combine the cooked rice, beef mixture, crumbled bacon, and 1 can of RO*TEL diced tomatoes. Stir well.
Add the Cheese: Top with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese.
Bake the Casserole: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Rinse the Rice: Thoroughly rinse your uncooked long grain white rice to prevent stickiness.
Cheese Matters: Buy block cheeses and shred them for better melting quality.
Season Appropriately: Don’t hesitate to add spices for extra flavor.
Customize Your Veggies: Add your favorite vegetables for nutrition and flavor.
Watch the Bake Time: Cover with foil initially to keep moisture in.
Serve it Right: Let the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking to set.