Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Taco rice casserole is an easy dinner idea and freezer friendly. It is a great recipe to stretch your meat and easy on the budget.

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (1)

Taco rice casserole

If you are looking for an easy dinner then this Taco casserole recipe is one you just have to try today!Remember, my freezer cooking adventure where I made 16 meals for the freezer? Well this easy taco casserole recipe was one of them, and it was a huge hit.

My husband practically licks the pan clean when I make it. It is seriously that good!

My recipe below is for 2 meals. Why? That way you can make one to eat now, and then the other one goes in the freezer. One mess, but you get 2 meals.

If you don’t want to do that, just cut the recipe in half. However, why wouldn’t you want to? You hardly have to do any extra work to make a second one.

To be honest, I normally make 4 of thesetaco casseroles because they freeze so great and they make a busy weeknight so much easier. Make this Cinco De Mayo Recipe for a Easy Mexican Recipes.

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (2)

Let’s get started with thistaco casserole!

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (3)
Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (5)

Ingredients for the best taco casserole:

  • 2 lbs ground turkey (or ground beef)
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 cups corn
  • 2 cans black beans
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chiles (aka Rotel)
  • 1 package taco seasoning (We love homemade taco seasoning.)
  • 4 cups cooked rice
  • 3 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 2 9×13 pans
Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (6)

How to make taco rice casserole:

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (7)
Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (8)

If you want to this taco casserole with rice right away:

  1. Bake covered at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes until cooked through.

How to freeze taco rice casserole:

  1. Cover with foil and label. To reheat, let thaw overnight in fridge. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes covered with the foil. Then remove foil and cook until the top is nice and brown.

Enjoy!

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (9)

Time saving tip:

Another time saving tip is to use asmall food chopper or food processorto quickly and easily chop onions and bell peppers.

If you do not have one of these, I highly recommend them. They are such a time saver and you make cooking so fast and easy.

I usually just chop the entire vegetable and freeze what I don’t need. It’s so nice to be able to just take the diced onion out of the freezer for recipes.

This is how I meal prep. It’s so quick and easy and helps get dinner on the table fast.

Learn andhow to freeze onionsand alsohow to freeze peppersto save so much time in the kitchen! Lots of the recipes we cook call for onions and peppers so this is such a great time tip that we use frequently.

You will love having peppers and onions all ready to go! It isquick and easy.

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (10)

Everyone will enjoy taco rice casserole!

This recipe will surprise you. It doesn’t seem like much, but it has some amazing flavor. We served it with saladto make it a complete meal.

If you want, you could add some crushed tortilla chips on top before you serve it. YUM! My husband even likes to top his with lettuce and fresh tomatoes to make almost like a taco salad. Green onions are also amazing.

If you need Taco Dinner Ideas, this casserole is a great option to serve.

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (11)

You can use white rice or brown rice in the casserole. Both are delicious.

However your family eats it, I think you will love it. Make one for dinner and one for the freezer. You will thank me later. 🙂

It is also a great meal to take to someone recovering from surgery or with a new baby. You can grab one from the freezer and bless them with a great meal.

Let us know once you try it and how it turns out for you. It is sure to be a hit with everyone!

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (12)

Print this easy taco rice casserole recipe below:

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (13)

Review

Pin Print

Taco Rice Casserole

4.91 from 203 votes

Looking for a freezer friendly recipe? You are going to love this easy taco casserole recipe! It is a simple casserole recipe that is packed with flavor.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 12

Cuisine Mexican

Course casserole

Calories 256

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Ground Beef
  • 1 Onion chopped
  • 2 cups Corn
  • 2 cans Black Beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 cans Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis
  • 1 Package of Taco Seasoning (or 4 tablespoons of homemade seasoning)
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 4 cups Cooked Rice (I used regular that I cooked but you can use any)
  • 3 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Instructions

  • First brown your ground beef. Add in chopped onions and cook until soft.

  • Stir in Taco seasoning seasoning.

  • Add corn, tomatoes and beans.

  • Spray 2 9×13 pans with non stick spray. Spoon 2 cups of rice into the bottom of each pan, spreading it out evenly.

  • Spoon the meat mixture over the rice.

  • Top with the ½ of the cheese on each pan.

If you want to eat it right away:

  • Bake covered at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes until cooked through.

If you want to freeze it:

  • Cover with foil and label. To reheat, let thaw overnight in fridge. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes covered with the foil. Then remove foil and cook until the top is nice and brown.

Recipe Notes

My recipe is for 2 meals. Why? That way you can make one to eat now, and then the other one goes in the freezer. One mess, but you get 2 meals. If you don’t want to do that, just cut the recipe in half.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 256kcal, Carbohydrates 35g, Protein 24g, Fat 2g, Cholesterol 41mg, Sodium 283mg, Potassium 630mg, Fiber 6g, Sugar 4g, Vitamin A 475IU, Vitamin C 12.7mg, Calcium 45mg, Iron 2.6mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

You might also like our One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe where everything is made in one pot.

Try these other easy freezer casseroles:

  • Pizza Pasta Casserole
  • Walking Taco Casserole Recipe
  • Easy Baked Ravioli Recipe
  • Old Fashioned Hamburger Casserole Recipe
  • Taco Lasagna Recipe
  • Easy Hamburger Casserole Recipe
  • Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (14)

Try these other recipes

Quick and Easy Breakfast

Mexican Breakfast Casserole

Easy Grilling

Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

Quick and Easy Chicken

Chicken Stuffed Peppers

Easy Mexican

Chicken Fajita Quesadillas Recipe

Easy Slow Cooker

Crockpot Chicken Fajita Pasta

Quick Bread

Indian Fry Bread Recipe

Easy Slow Cooker

Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos

Easy Grilling

Pollo Asado

About the Author

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (23)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Easy Taco Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

Is it better to cook casserole the day before or? ›

Make-ahead meals (especially baked casseroles) are terrific because you can completely assemble them in advance and bake them just before serving. They're the ultimate comfort food as they come bubbling hot and delicious straight from the oven to the table to the delight of family and friends.

Should you cover casserole when baking? ›

Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered. If you like a crisper, browner top, be sure the casserole is uncovered for at least part of the bake time.

How can I improve my casserole flavor? ›

Adding a crunchy element on top of your one-dish wonder is an easy way to add extra texture and flavor. Try crushed crackers, buttered bread crumbs, toasted almonds, French fried onions or—if you're really Midwestern—frozen tater tots.

What are the main ingredients of this casserole? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

What are the 5 components of a casserole? ›

So what's inside? Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese.

Do casseroles cook better covered or uncovered? ›

Covering a casserole helps the dish cook evenly, stay moist, and prevents burning. Uncovering helps with browning, crisping and allowing for steam to release.

How long should a casserole be cooked for? ›

The time a casserole takes to cook will vary from 2-2½ hours for chuck, blade and thick flank, up to 4 hours for shin, leg and neck. Pork cuts for braising and casseroling normally take 1½ hours, and lamb much the same.

Should you cook a casserole with the lid on or off? ›

A tight-fitting lid on your casserole dish ensures the dish doesn't lose moisture during the long cooking process. Size matters. If your dish is too small, the liquid can overflow. If it's too large, the liquid can reduce too quickly and dry out the food.

Do I need to cook meat before putting in casserole? ›

With this in mind, be sure to choose a dish that is the correct size for your ingredients.
  1. Par Cook Pasta and Vegetables. A common issue with casseroles is soggy overcooked pasta or vegetable components. ...
  2. Always Cook Meat Before Adding. Don't add raw meat to a casserole. ...
  3. Let It Rest.
Mar 2, 2023

Why do casseroles have to sit overnight? ›

Let the casserole sit to let it set

Much like meat, casserole can also benefit from a post-bake break. According to Allrecipes, letting your hotdish cool for about 20 minutes before digging in will help any liquids be reabsorbed and help firm up any creamy ingredients like soup, sauce, or melted cheese.

Do you cook vegetables before putting in casserole? ›

Using Fresh Vegetables: Fresh vegetables should be steamed or cooked until softened before adding them in. (Not too cooked through, but about 90% of the way.) Crispy Fried Onions make a great alternative topping option as well!

What thickens a casserole? ›

The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

Should I put foil over my casserole? ›

The primary reason for covering a casserole as it bakes is to trap moisture inside the dish. This will not only keep the casserole itself moist, but it will also help get the casserole up to cooking temperature.

How do you fix a bland casserole? ›

From boring to brilliant: Five easy ways to fix a bland recipe
  1. Salt. Advertisem*nt. ...
  2. Acid. One of my favorite ways to perk up a bland dish is with a splash of acid. ...
  3. Chilli peppers. Adding something spicy is a sure way to transform an underseasoned dish. ...
  4. Sugar. ...
  5. Fresh herbs.
Mar 13, 2023

What are three guidelines to follow when preparing casseroles? ›

Top tips for casseroles
  1. Cut your ingredients, such as meat, potatoes and parsnips, into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly. ...
  2. To save time – and washing up – use a flameproof, ovenproof casserole dish. ...
  3. Avoid adding flour after cooking or the raw flour taste will remain.

What are 3 possible advantages to preparing your own casseroles? ›

Why You Should Be Cooking More Casseroles
  1. They're versatile. For every set of tastebuds, there's a casserole to match. ...
  2. They can be nutritious. ...
  3. They're easy, from prep through cleanup. ...
  4. They feed a crowd. ...
  5. They're transportable and gift-able.

What dictates a casserole? ›

They're often defined by the vessel they're baked and served in, which is called a casserole dish. The ingredients in a casserole can be layered or simply mixed together. And although oven-baked pasta dishes like lasagna and baked ziti are technically casseroles they're not known as such; those are called baked pastas.

What classifies a casserole as a casserole? ›

Casseroles Are Largely Defined by Their Baking Dish

agrees, telling us that "a casserole is baked in a casserole dish—a deep baking dish. The word casserole comes from a French word meaning 'saucepan. '"

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5991

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Birthday: 1995-01-14

Address: 55021 Usha Garden, North Larisa, DE 19209

Phone: +6812240846623

Job: Corporate Healthcare Strategist

Hobby: Singing, Listening to music, Rafting, LARPing, Gardening, Quilting, Rappelling

Introduction: My name is Foster Heidenreich CPA, I am a delightful, quaint, glorious, quaint, faithful, enchanting, fine person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.