Here’s a detailed recipe for a Mexican Brown Rice Bake—hearty, cheesy, and full of flavor.
Mexican Brown Rice Bake
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 1½ cups cooked brown rice
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef, turkey, or chicken
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz / 425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 can (14 oz / 400g) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1–2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or mozzarella)
- Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, sour cream, avocado
Instructions
1. Preheat oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray or butter.
2. Cook the meat and aromatics
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground meat until browned.
- Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened (3–4 minutes).
- Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Mix the filling
- In the skillet, stir in black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, salsa, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 3–5 minutes to let flavors combine.
- Add the cooked brown rice and stir until well mixed.
4. Assemble the bake
- Transfer the rice and meat mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly on top.
5. Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve
- Garnish with optional toppings like cilantro, jalapeños, sour cream, or avocado.
- Serve warm as a main dish or alongside a simple salad.
Tips for Best Results
- Brown rice: Cooked ahead or leftover brown rice works well.
- Cheese: Use a combination of cheeses for a richer flavor.
- Extra veggies: Bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach can be added for more nutrition.
- Make it ahead: Assemble and refrigerate, then bake before serving—perfect for meal prep.