Taco Rice Casserole

This taco rice casserole is one of my favorite and easiest ways to switch up taco night. I layer all the classic taco flavors and finish it off with queso, because it makes it even better!

Taco Rice Casserole

Once upon a time, when I had a houseful of teenagers with crazy schedules, and my own schedule was just as hectic, this taco rice casserole was a dinner I could throw together, and everyone happily ate it whether they used a fork or scooped it up with tortilla chips. It’s packed with all the taco flavors they loved, plus a cheesy topping that made it even better. Quick, filling, and always a hit, it became a regular in my kitchen.

It’s simple enough to whip up on busy nights, but still hearty enough to keep everyone satisfied. This casserole just worked every time.

Why I Love This Recipe

• I can swap in ground turkey or make it vegetarian with beans.
• The leftovers are perfect for next-day lunches.
• It’s easy to serve straight from the pan for a crowd.

Ingredients

What I like about this taco rice bake is that the ingredients are common and mostly pantry-friendly. It’s easy to pull together without needing a special grocery run, which makes it super convenient on busy nights. Plus, it uses staples like rice, salsa, and taco seasoning that I always seem to have on hand.

• Ground beef: Feel free to use any fat content you prefer since you are going to be draining it before adding it to the casserole dish.
• Small onion
• Instant rice: Make sure to use instant rice. It’s going to absorb the flavors and the liquid in the dish.
• Salsa: Go with any flavor or brand you love and any spice level. Do not use fresh salsa as it would be too watery.
• Beef broth
• Taco seasoning: This seasoning blend gives the dish that signature taco flavor.
• Queso dip: I prefer to use a refrigerated queso dip (it just tastes better), but shelf stable works too.
• Mexican cheese blend
• Tomato
• Fresh cilantro

How I Make Taco Rice Casserole

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Recipe Tips

Here are some tips to make your casserole even better:

• You can prepare this casserole ahead of time. Just cover it tightly with aluminum foil and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time since it’ll start out colder.
• For a bit more spice, swap the salsa for Rotel, toss in a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, or top with diced jalapeño or serrano peppers.
• You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have. Try ground turkey or chicken instead of beef or switch beef broth for chicken or vegetable broth. You can also use homemade taco seasoning and different cheese options like Pepper Jack or Sharp Cheddar.
• Serve this casserole with some great sides like diced avocado, sour cream, black beans, or diced peppers. It also pairs well with cheese enchiladas, cornbread, or chips and fresh tortillas.

Storage and Freezing

Here’s how I like to store and reheat my taco rice casserole to keep it fresh:

• I pop any leftovers into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. It holds up pretty well!
• If I’m freezing it, I use a freezer-safe container and it can stay in there for up to 3 months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge before reheating. I do prefer freezing it without the tomatoes or cilantro on top.
• For single servings, I usually microwave it for about 1 to 2 minutes, giving it a quick stir in between. You can also warm it up in a skillet, stirring often, or cover it with foil and reheat the whole dish in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

More Taco-Inspired Recipes That Aren’t Tacos

If you’re craving more taco-inspired flavors but want to switch things up, check out more of my taco-inspired recipes.

• Shrimp and Avocado Taco Salad
• Cheesy Taco Skillet
• Taco Soup
• Taco Noodle Casserole

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Print Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Taco Rice Casserole

This Taco Rice Casserole is one of the easiest ways to switch up taco night. It’s layered with classic taco flavors and finished off with queso, because it makes everything better!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time40 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Taco Rice Casserole

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 396kcal

Author: Cathy Pollak

Equipment

• measuring cups and spoons
• skillet
• baking dish 9x13

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 cups dry, instant Minute rice
• 16 oz. jarred salsa use your favorite
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 16 oz. queso dip this can be refrigerated or shelf stable queso dip
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick spray.
  cooking spray
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain the excess grease and transfer the beef to the casserole dish.
  1 lb. ground beef
• Add the rice, salsa, beef broth, onion, and taco seasoning to the dish, stirring everything together.
  2 cups dry, instant Minute rice, 16 oz. jarred salsa, 2 cups low-sodium beef broth, 1 small yellow onion, diced, 1 packet taco seasoning
• Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
• Remove the foil, then top with queso and Mexican cheese blend. Bake for another 5 minutes, until the cheese melts.
  16 oz. queso dip, 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• Finish by sprinkling with tomatoes and cilantro.
  1 large tomato, diced, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Notes

For optimal outcomes when making this taco rice casserole, I recommended referring to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Taco Rice Casserole

Amount Per Serving (311 g)

Calories 396 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 10.1g63%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g

Monounsaturated Fat 3.3g

Cholesterol 91mg30%

Sodium 753mg33%

Potassium 525mg15%

Carbohydrates 32g11%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 28g56%

Vitamin A 61IU1%

Vitamin C 5.3mg6%

Calcium 352mg35%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.