Firehouse Tex-Mex Casserole Recipe
🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
🍳 Cook Time: 45 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 50 minutes
🍽 Servings: 8
Description:
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Southwest with this delightful Firehouse Tex-Mex Casserole recipe. Bursting with hearty ingredients like lean ground beef, brown rice, beans, and gooey cheddar cheese, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Perfect for a quick weekday meal or a potluck gathering, it’s a wholesome and satisfying option that’s easy to prepare, even for beginner cooks.

Ingredients:
- 3 cups Minute brown rice
- 1 1/2 cups hot water
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 19 oz canned stewed tomatoes
- 14 oz canned beans (your choice)
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
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Prepare Rice: Grease a 3-quart casserole dish, then add the Minute brown rice to it. Pour in the hot water, cover the dish, and let it stand for 5 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the water and soften.
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Brown the Beef: While the rice is soaking, take a large frying pan and brown the lean ground beef over medium heat until it’s cooked through and no longer pink.
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Add Flavor: Once the beef is browned, stir in the barbecue sauce, canned stewed tomatoes (undrained), canned beans, chili powder, and garlic powder. Mix everything thoroughly, bringing it to a gentle boil.
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Layer the Casserole: Spoon the flavorful meat mixture evenly over the prepared rice in the casserole dish, ensuring an even distribution.
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Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole, covering it generously for that gooey, melty goodness.
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Bake: Cover the casserole dish with a lid or aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together and the cheese to melt into a golden perfection.
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Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and garnish it with chopped green onions for a pop of freshness and color.
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Enjoy: Serve hot and enjoy this delicious Tex-Mex creation with your family and friends. It’s a satisfying dish that’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire!
Nutritional Information per Serving (Approximate):
- Calories: 252.3
- Fat: 9.6g
- Saturated Fat: 4.2g
- Cholesterol: 48.2mg
- Sodium: 522mg
- Carbohydrates: 23.9g
- Fiber: 4.8g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 17.9g
Recipe Notes:
- Feel free to customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences by adding extra spices, swapping out ingredients, or adjusting the level of spiciness to your liking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, making it a convenient option for meal prep.
- Serve this casserole with your favorite Tex-Mex sides, such as guacamole, salsa, sour cream, or a crisp green salad, for a complete and satisfying meal experience.