Southwest Beef Casserole

Here’s a delicious Southwest Beef Casserole recipe that’s perfect for a hearty meal:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add vegetables: Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Mix in seasonings and other ingredients: Stir in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning mix. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Combine with rice: Add the cooked rice to the beef mixture and stir well to combine.
6. Layer the casserole: Spread half of the beef and rice mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the beef mixture. Spread the remaining beef mixture over the cheese layer and top with the remaining cheese.
7. Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Add final touches: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. Spread the sour cream evenly over the top of the casserole. Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
9. Serve: Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips:

• You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef for a leaner option.
• Adjust the level of spiciness by choosing mild, medium, or hot diced tomatoes with green chilies.
• Serve with additional toppings such as sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, or a squeeze of lime juice for extra flavor.

Enjoy your delicious Southwest Beef Casserole!