Description
This cheesy taco rice casserole is everything you love about tacos—savory, spicy, and crispy—all layered into a hearty, twice-baked dish. Crunchy taco shells, tender meat, fluffy rice, gooey cheese, and a creamy cilantro lime ranch make every bite irresistible. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or potlucks! #TacoCasserole #CheesyDinner #MexicanInspired
Ingredients
Scale
Casserole:
- 1 pound ground beef, chicken, or turkey
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 8 hard shell tacos
- 1–2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 cup dry long grain rice
- 1 poblano pepper, chopped
- 1/3 cup salsa verde
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro or green onions
Cilantro Lime Ranch:
- 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped + 2 tablespoons brine
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package instructions.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground meat and chopped onion until browned; stir in taco seasoning and chopped poblano pepper.
- Stir the cooked rice, salsa verde, and half the shredded cheese into the meat mixture until evenly combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Melt the butter and crush the taco shells. Sprinkle crushed shells over the casserole, then top with remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the topping is golden and crispy.
- While the casserole bakes, mix all cilantro lime ranch ingredients in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Serve hot, drizzled with cilantro lime ranch and garnished with extra cilantro or green onions if desired.
Notes
- Use leftover rice to speed up prep time.
- Add black beans or corn for extra texture and flavor.
- Try Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese for a spicier twist.
- Can be made ahead and reheated—just keep the taco topping separate until ready to bake.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg