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 202 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

Author Carrie Barnard

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

Easy Slow Cooker

Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos

Easy Grilling

Pollo Asado

Quick and Easy Breakfast

Chorizo Breakfast Casserole

Easy Mexican

Homemade Taco Shells Recipe

Easy Casserole

Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Easy Mexican

Taco Bowl Recipe

Easy Slow Cooker

Crock Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken

Easy Mexican

Green Chicken Enchiladas

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 John Wayne casserole made of? ›

John Wayne casserole is made of delicious layers of biscuit, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy sauce all covered in a layer of gooey cheese. It's a hearty family meal that's guaranteed to please your picky eaters!

What are the four components to a 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, ...

How to reheat breakfast casserole? ›

You can microwave it until it's hot, one serving at a time, or you can reheat the whole casserole in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until it's heated through. Do you have a favorite breakfast casserole combo?

How long to cook a frozen casserole? ›

Bake frozen, still covered in the foil, on the middle rack of a preheated 350°F oven until heated through, about 1 1/2 hours. Alternatively, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake for only 1 hour.

What is Jackie Kennedy casserole? ›

It is reported that Jackie O served this side dish of sour cream egg noodles and chives while she stayed in the White House. On one occasion she served the dish at a private dinner to the Prince and Princess Radziwill (her sister and brother-in-law).

What is cowboy casserole made of? ›

Cowboy casserole is a totally irresistible, family-friendly dish. It's layered with seasoned ground beef, a creamy tomato sauce, corn, black beans, and plenty of melted cheese, and it's topped off with a blanket of crispy, golden tater tots.

What liquid to use in casserole? ›

Liquid for casseroles

Bone stock is good for beef casseroles, but failing that plain hot water enriched with a few drops of Worcestershire sauce and mushroom ketchup makes a handy instant stock. Red or white wine will add extra flavour of its own, and its acidity will actually help to tenderise the meat as it cooks.

What serves as a binder in casseroles? ›

A perfect casserole needs one or more binders: cheese, eggs, condensed soup, Greek yogurt or noodles, for example.

What to add to casserole for flavour? ›

Try different herbs for added flavour: sage or lemon thyme work wonderfully well. For a meatier casserole, add chopped sausage or pancetta when cooking the chicken. Stir wholegrain mustard through the casserole at the end of cooking (to taste); this is especially good if you have sausage in the casserole.

Why is my breakfast casserole soggy? ›

Baked egg dishes tend to have issues with becoming too rubbery or watery after cooking. This is especially the case when high-moisture vegetables or dense meats are in the mixture—sautéing the potatoes and vegetables before baking helps to dry the food and concentrate flavors.

Why do you have to refrigerate breakfast casserole overnight? ›

The casserole is covered and refrigerated overnight to allow the liquid ingredients to be absorbed into the bread. This is a perishable mixture and should be cooked the morning or day after assembly.

Is it better to freeze a breakfast casserole, cooked or uncooked? ›

The answer depends on what's in it. Casseroles with raw protein (meat, poultry, seafood) should be completely cooked before freezing. However dishes with pre-cooked meats or no meat are fine to go in the freezer uncooked.

Can I bake a frozen casserole without thawing? ›

If it's a frozen, store-bought casserole, you should follow the instructions on the package. Many of these store-bought numbers recommend putting the casserole into the preheated oven straight from the freezer, no thawing involved.

How long should a refrigerated casserole sit out before baking? ›

How long does it take a refrigerated casserole to come to room temp? Depending on the size of the dish and the density of its contents, it takes about an hour for to come up to room temperature. Add more time for a larger pan or one with dense contents.

What was John Wayne's favorite meal? ›

The man was unquestionably a fan of meat and potatoes, and one of his go-to side dishes was scalloped potatoes. With milk, cream, butter and cheese, John's version wasn't for the faint of heart.

What was the original casserole? ›

Apparently, casseroles originated as communal pots that people shared for meals. The oldest recipe for a casserole, around 1250, consisted of pasta sheets cooked in water, layered with grated cheese and spices. In 1787, returning from Italy, Thomas Jefferson brought home a pasta machine.

What material is casserole? ›

There are many options for materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic or non-stick coating. The different material affects the cooking speed, the types of food you choose to cook but also the healthy cooking!

What is Tater Tot casserole made of? ›

Tater Tot Casserole is a classic comfort food made with a flavorful beefy base, canned or frozen vegetables, an optional addition of cream of mushroom soup, cheese, and crispy tater tots. It's easy to make ahead of time, freezer friendly, budget friendly, and a great way to feed a crowd!

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gregorio Kreiger

Last Updated:

Views: 5388

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gregorio Kreiger

Birthday: 1994-12-18

Address: 89212 Tracey Ramp, Sunside, MT 08453-0951

Phone: +9014805370218

Job: Customer Designer

Hobby: Mountain biking, Orienteering, Hiking, Sewing, Backpacking, Mushroom hunting, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.