Southwest Casserole

Savor the bold, zesty flavors of the Southwest with this irresistible Southwest Casserole—a one-pan wonder brimming with hearty goodness! Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, this crowd-pleasing dish combines seasoned ground beef or turkey, tender rice, black beans, sweet corn, and a medley of Tex-Mex flavors like chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Topped with a gooey layer of melted Mexican-blend cheese and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, this casserole delivers comfort food with a spicy twist. Easy to prepare in just 40 minutes, it’s a versatile recipe that can be customized to include your favorite toppings or served with a side of tortilla chips for added crunch. Ideal for meal prep or feeding a family, this cheesy Southwest Casserole is sure to become a go-to favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 15 ounces black beans, rinsed and drained
• 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 15 ounces sweet corn, drained
• 4 ounces green chilies, diced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
• 2 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.

Step 5

Stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, corn, and diced green chilies. Mix well to combine.

Step 6

Add the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the mixture. Stir thoroughly and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice with the meat and bean mixture. Mix well to evenly distribute the ingredients.

Step 8

Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with a bit of olive oil or non-stick spray. Pour the rice and meat mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

Sprinkle the shredded Mexican-blend cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 10

Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.

Step 11

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, if desired.

Step 12

Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2528.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3522.4

Total Fat 178.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 80.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 562.9mg	0%
Sodium 5873.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 311.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 50.9g	0%
Total Sugars 45.4g
Protein 182.6g	0%

Vitamin D 48.0IU	0%
Calcium 2058.2mg	0%
Iron 32.9mg	0%
Potassium 4907.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.9%

Protein: 20.4%

Carbs: 34.7%