This easy Taco Rice Casserole is a simple, flavourful dish that combines seasoned ground beef, rice, tomatoes and melty cheese in one satisfying bake. Top with your favourite taco fixings for a crowd-pleasing meal.

If you’re looking for more taco-inspired recipes, you might also like to try my Chicken Taco Casserole!

A serving of Taco Rice Casserole being scooped from the casserole dish, showing the melty cheese pulls.

Why you’ll love this recipe

This easy Taco Casserole is a great way to switch it up from the usual taco night. We think you’ll love this recipe as much as we do because it’s

Easy to make – after cooking the meat, you simply combine the remaining ingredients and the oven does the rest of the work. No need to precook the rice!
Perfect for meal prep and freezing – we like to make this casserole on Sunday so we have a dinner ready to go on busier weeknights. This casserole freezes and reheats beautifully too.
Customizable with different proteins, spice levels, mix-ins and toppings.
A budget-friendly meal that uses pantry staples.

A serving of Taco Rice Casserole on a white plate.

Ingredients & variations

Here’s an overview of the ingredients and steps to make this taco bake with rice. See the recipe card below for full details!

Lean ground beef – ground turkey or chicken work too!
Long-grain white rice
Onion and garlic – to deepen the savoury flavour
Diced tomatoes
Beef broth – you can sub chicken broth or vegetable broth
Chopped green chilies – adds nice flavour and a bit more heat.
Taco seasoning – a homemade blend of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano. See the note in the recipe card for adjusting the spice level of the dish.
Shredded cheese – we used Colby Jack but you can sub cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend.

Ingredients needed to make Taco Rice Casserole viewed from overhead on a grey counter with text label overlays.

How to make it

Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish. In a large skillet, sauté the beef and onion. Drain the excess grease.

Then, add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for about 30 seconds before adding the seasonings. Mix until the beef is evenly covered and the seasoning is fragrant, about a minute.

A four-photo process collage showing the stovetop preparation for taco rice casserole.

Next, add the broth, diced tomatoes, rice and chopped green chilies. Stir to combine.

Carefully transfer this mixture to the greased casserole dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and transfer to the oven to bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

A four-photo process collage showing assembly of Taco Rise Casserole in the casserole dish.

Remove the foil and fluff the rice to evenly distribute the seasoning. Smooth out the rice in the dish, then sprinkle on the shredded cheese. Bake for another 8-10 minutes until the cheese is nicely melted.

Tips for Success

Drain the excess grease if you’re using ground beef. To reduce mess, I simply tilt the skillet and use tongs with folded paper towel to soak up the grease, then compost the oily paper towel.
Ensure the ingredients are well distributed after you transfer the mixture to the casserole dish (spread out the rice for even cooking).
Fluff the rice and smooth it back out before adding the cheese so the seasoning and meat will be nicely distributed and your slices will have even thickness.
Let it rest 5-10 minutes before serving to help the casserole set and make slicing easier.

A closeup of a silver fork taking a bite of Taco Rice Casserole from a serving on a white plate.

What to serve with taco rice casserole

Refried beans – pair so well with the rice and beef and are a delicious way to add fibre to the meal.
Mexican street corn salad – grilled corn combined with bright flavours in the dressing are amazing with this casserole.
Guacamole or diced avocado – adds creamy texture and fresh taste.
Salsa – pico de gallo or salsa verde are fresh and tangy options.
Salad – a light, crisp green salad with a citrusy vinaigrette would balance the richness of the casserole.

More easy dinner recipes

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