Craving ultimate comfort food that won’t break the bank? My Vegetarian Baked Mexican Rice Casserole is your answer! Imagine pulling a warm, bubbly, and cheesy dish from the oven after a long day. This recipe is a weeknight hero in my home—it’s incredibly satisfying, costs less than a dollar per serving, and cleanup is a breeze. Packed with protein-rich black beans, sweet corn, and savory spices, it’s the perfect cozy meal that just happens to be 100% plant-based.
Ingredients
• 1 can 15 oz / 425g black beans, drained and rinsed
• 0.75 cup 6.5 oz / 185g salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
• 2 tsp 5g chili powder
• 1 tsp 2g ground cumin
• 0.5 cup 2.6 oz / 75g corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 2 cups 11 oz / 320g cooked long-grain rice (white or brown)
• 0.5 cup 2 oz / 56g grated vegan cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• 0.33 cup 1.6 oz / 45g sliced black olives
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and set a rack in the center position.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the black beans, salsa, chili powder, and cumin over low heat.
3. Cook for 3-5 minutes until warm, then use a fork or potato masher to partially mash the beans for a creamy texture.
4. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the corn kernels and cooked rice until well combined.
5. Transfer the mixture to a medium casserole dish (approx. 8×8 inch) and spread evenly.
6. Sprinkle the grated vegan cheese and sliced black olives over the top.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly around the edges. Serve warm.
Nutritional Information
• Estimates per serving
• Calories: 248 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Protein: 9g
• Fat: 1g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 616mg
Pro Tips
• Use Day-Old Rice: For the best texture, use cold, leftover rice. Freshly cooked rice can become mushy when baked.
• Bloom Your Spices: Toast the chili powder and cumin in the dry pot for 30 seconds before adding other to deepen their flavor.
• Don’t Over-Mash: Partially mash the beans, leaving about half of them whole to create a satisfying, chunky texture.
• Broil for a Golden Top: For a browned, bubbly cheese topping, switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!
