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Beef Burrito Casserole with Cheesy Rice and Refried Beans Recipe

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4 from 7 reviews

This Burrito Casserole is a hearty, flavorful Mexican-inspired dish layered with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, rice, salsa, and a blend of pepper jack and cheddar cheeses. Baked to bubbly perfection, it's a comforting meal perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as satisfying leftovers. Topped with fresh cilantro and served with sour cream and tortilla chips, this casserole combines the best elements of a classic burrito in an easy-to-make oven-baked form.

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • ¾ cup beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 (4 oz.) can diced green chiles (undrained)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

Main Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs. ground beef
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (plus more to garnish)
  • ½ cup salsa
  • 8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
  • 1 (16 oz.) can refried beans
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 cups cooked white long grain rice
  • 3 cups Mexican cheese blend (pepper jack & cheddar)

Toppings (Optional)

  • Green onions
  • Cilantro
  • Tomatoes
  • Avocado

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F to get it ready for baking the casserole.
  2. Prepare Sauce: In a small measuring cup with a spout, combine beef broth and cornstarch, stirring until smooth. Add diced green chiles, lime juice, hot sauce, honey, onion powder, garlic salt, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and chili powder. Stir well and set aside.
  3. Cook Beef and Onions: Season ground beef with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and diced onion, cooking and crumbling for 7-10 minutes until beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
  4. Simmer with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the skillet with the beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and chopped cilantro, cooking for an additional 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. Prepare Casserole Dish: Spread salsa evenly on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish to create a flavorful base layer.
  6. Arrange Tortillas: Cut each flour tortilla in half. Position 6 tortilla halves so their flat edges line the sides of the casserole dish, touching the walls; place the remaining 2 halves in the middle of the dish.
  7. Add Beef Filling: Spread half of the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the arranged tortillas.
  8. Mix and Spread Bean Layer: In a small bowl, microwave refried beans for 1 minute to soften. Stir in sour cream until combined. Drop half of this mixture in dollops over the beef layer and gently spread using a silicone spatula.
  9. Add Rice and Cheese: Sprinkle half of the cooked rice over the bean layer, followed by 1 cup of the Mexican cheese blend.
  10. Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining tortillas, beef mixture, refried bean mixture, rice, and cheese to build the casserole.
  11. Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  12. Bake Uncovered: Remove the cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
  13. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh cilantro and optional toppings like green onions, tomatoes, and avocado. Serve with additional sour cream and tortilla chips for scooping excess filling.

Notes

  • Microwaving refried beans before spreading helps achieve a smoother, easier-to-spread layer.
  • Use cold or room temperature beef broth when mixing with cornstarch to avoid lumps in the sauce.
  • The layering technique for tortillas helps create a sturdy base and ensures the casserole holds together well.
  • Feel free to customize toppings such as avocado slices, diced tomatoes, and green onions for added freshness and texture.
  • Letting the casserole rest after baking helps it set and makes slicing easier.

Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/beef-burrito-casserole-with-cheesy-rice-and-refried-beans-recipe/