Mexican Casserole (Freezer to Crockpot)
Mexican Casserole
1 pound ground beef (cooked)
1 medium onion (chopped)
1 small green pepper (chopped)
16 oz can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
8 oz tomato sauce
1/4 c water
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 T chili powder
1 1/3 c. uncooked instant rice (or 3 c. cooked rice)
1 c. cheddar cheese
Mix all ingredients (but instant rice and cheese) in freezer bag. Put cheese in extra bag and staple onto casserole bag along with bag of rice of using instant. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. If you’re using the instant rice, you’ll want to add the rice about an hour before you’re ready to eat and don’t put in original freezer bag. Top with cheese a few minutes before serving.
I made this meal tonight for dinner as a skillet meal instead of a crockpot meal. It works great if you haven’t had a chance to get anything into the freezer yet or if you’re like me and forgot about starting supper in the morning….yeah, I do that all.the.time! I had gotten a bunch of Rice-A-Roni for 33 cents a box, so I decided to use that as my rice this time. My family seemed to like it better than the plain rice I used last time. Doesn’t that figure? Rice-A-Roni, isn’t nearly as healthy as the other stuff! Oh well…..they like it either way and hopefully they’ll forget about that Rice-A-Roni. It was a big hit with the whole family except for the one who doesn’t like green peppers and onions. I’m pretty sure if she couldn’t see the chunks she would’ve loved it!
It's me again with another question. If I'm using 3 cups of cooked rice for this, do I mix that with the other stuff (except cheese) and freeze, then cook in the crockpot too? Thanks for helping me!
You know, I didn't end up freezing mine together….like I had planned, but I think it would be fine freezing it all together.
I'm sorry…. I don't get it. Do you actually place the freezer bag in the crockpot? Or is it 'prepare ahead and freeze', then later put all the ingredients into the crockpot to cook?
No, don't put the freezer bag in the crockpot. Place all the ingredients in the freezer bag and freeze so they're all ready to go into the crockpot when the time comes. You may want to thaw it in the refrigerator the night before you plan to use it.
If I am using 3 c. cooked rice do I just add that in last and mix it. I don't think I want to cook the rice in the crockpot.
Yes, just stir it in at the end. Sorry, I may need to update the recipe and clarify a bit!
how about if i use the rice a roni…if i am going to freeze this can i still use the rice a roni
I would freeze it without the Rice-a-Roni. Cook the Rice-A-Roni that day and add it to the crockpot when you put it all in.
If I may say so, I so love your freezer meal recipes!!
oh thank you so much! You're so sweet to encourage me that way!
I think you may have saved my life this week with all your freezer meals!!! With my husband gone for the week, 3 boys, Football practices and baseball games I totally needed this!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! One question though, how many do your recipes generally serve?
Hi Angie! We have 8 in our family. 4 of them eat like adults….the rest kids, one being a toddler that hardly eats anything. So…..that's a hard question to answer. I'd say 6-8 generally speaking. Sometimes we have leftovers, sometimes we don't.
You're so welcome. I'm glad this was helpful to you!
I love your freezer meals! =)
My husband loves this and I love how easy it is to throw together. Originally, I made 3 of these up to freeze. I'm now out so it's time to get more made up even though I still have several other freezer meals made up.
That's awesome! We love it in our house, too! Thanks for sharing!