Description
This Taco Sour Cream Rice Bake is a comforting, cheesy casserole that blends seasoned ground beef with creamy cottage cheese, sour cream, and vibrant diced tomatoes and green chiles. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, the dish combines flavorful taco spices with wholesome ingredients baked together to create a hearty and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
- 1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
- 1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook and Season Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef thoroughly. Drain off any excess fat, then return the beef to the skillet. Add the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes and green chiles (undrained), and tomato sauce. Stir the mixture well and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Combine Creamy Rice Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix together the cooked rice, cottage cheese, and sour cream until fully combined and creamy.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread the rice mixture evenly in the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Carefully spoon the taco meat sauce over the rice layer. Then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the casserole to create a cheesy finish.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for lean ground beef for a lighter option.
- For extra heat, add some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- This dish can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Serve with a side of fresh salad or guacamole for a complete meal.
- Use low-fat cottage cheese and sour cream to reduce calories and fat content.
