Easy Crockpot Mexican Casserole Recipe is a great dish that I enjoy making for my family. You can make it in the skillet or in the slow cooker, depending on how much time you have. The delicious flavors meld together perfectly and your family will be begging for more.
We love making ground beef recipes in our crockpot. To find more recipes like this, see my post: 20 Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipes or try Crockpot Beef Shepherd’s Pie.
Mexican Casserole
If you follow me for very long, you’ll know that I love making Mexican food in my Crockpot. So, making this Easy Crockpot Mexican Casserole was a natural fit for me. As you can see from my photos, you can also make this in your skillet. I have done both. It’s so simple and delicious. You can easily make changes to it and I’ll highlight some of those below. If you have any other questions about this recipe, feel free to leave a comment and I’m happy to answer them!
How Long Do I Cook Crockpot Mexican Casserole For?
If you’re cooking it in the slow cooker, cook on low for 4-6 hours. You can even cook it in your skillet though and if you do, it will only take about 15-20 minutes.
When Do I Put In Cooked Rice For This Mexican Casserole Recipe?
If you choose to add cooked rice, you can add it at the end. Be sure to stir everything well so that the rice is nicely coated with the spices and cheese.
Can I Use Brown Rice Instead of Rice a Roni in Mexican Casserole?
Yes, but you will need to adjust the amount of liquid you use in the Crockpot. To start with the rice uncooked in your slow cooker, add 1 cup of uncooked rice and change the water amount to 2 cups, instead of 1/4 cup.
Do I Have to Brown the Ground Beef or Can I Use Uncooked Beef, Since It Will Be Cooking All Day?
Yes. Brown the ground beef. Otherwise, your Mexican Casserole will be a soupy pot of grease. Of course, if you’re buying lean ground beef, it wouldn’t be nearly as greasy, but in my opinion, it still doesn’t cook up quite right, so you are better off cooking it in the skillet before you put it in the slow cooker.
WANT MORE EASY SLOW COOKER GROUND BEEF RECIPES?
Mexican Casserole (Freezer to Crockpot)
Ingredients
- 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 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 1/3 c. uncooked instant rice or 3 c. cooked rice
- 1 c. cheddar cheese
Instructions
Skillet Instructions:
- Make rice according to package instructions.
- Chop onion and green peppers.
- Brown ground beef with onion and green peppers.
- Drain or scoop out the fat.
- Add taco seasoning, water, chili powder, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and kidney beans.
- Let simmer for 15 minutes to let flavors meld together nicely.
- Once rice is done, mix in.
- Place cheese on top and let melt.
- Dig in!
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Place all ingredients, except instant rice and cheese into slow cooker.
- 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.
- Top with cheese a few minutes before serving.
Christine Gioiosa says
When addind Rice-a-Roni to crockpot, do you cook it as directed, or just add it dry?
Sarah says
I add it in, an hour before serving. Cook it first.
Elise H says
I’m confused about the rice. The recipe calls for 3 cups of cooked rice. That’s if it’s not instant. So I made 3 cups of cooked rice in a rice cooker. But then it doesn’t say what to do with it. It only says if you’re doing the instant, to save it for the end. Well, I threw in the cooked rice with the ingredients into the crockpot on low for 4 hours. But now I’m thinking that’s not what you intended. Was I supposed to put cooked rice at the end just like the instant?
Michelle says
I see that the ingredients call for cooked ground beef, but the skillet ingredients say to brown the meat. If I’m cooking it in the slow cooker do I cook the ground beef first?
Sorry for the dumb question, ima first time user for these instant pots.
Sarah says
Hi Michelle. No dumb questions! 🙂 Yes, I typically brown the ground beef before putting it in the slow cooker.
Cassandra says
We haven’t tried this yet, but it looks and smells amazing so far! I do have one question though. When I add the rice to the crockpot, do I also add the water? Thanks for the recipe!
Sarah says
No, we’re going to cook the rice first.
Mary says
If I am going to thaw it the night before can I just use uncooked beef or do I have to use browned beef even though it will cook all day?
Sarah says
I highly recommend browning it first, so that no extra grease gets added to your meal. It takes away from the taste.
Debbie Richardson says
Could I use brown rice instead of rice a roni ??
Sarah says
Yes, but you’ll need more cook time.
Erin says
If not freezing, what are the instructions for crockpot?
Sarah says
Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Kelly Meaux says
My family is following a low carb diet. I take the Joseph’s Lavash bread, cut into triangles and back to make mock tortilla chips. Do you think if I used your skillet method, it could be served successfully over my chips? What about in the crockpot, but still over the chips when it’s time to serve it? Do you think one would be better than the other?
Thank you,
Kelly
Sarah says
Yes, I think that would work great! Thinking of how I can do this for myself now, too. 🙂
Laura says
What size crockpot is recommended?
Sidetracked Sarah says
I believe I cook mine in a 5 quart, but there's a lot of extra room so it could go in something smaller.
crystal says
how many people does one recipe feed i have six in my house and figured i may need to triple the recipes for them to feed six
Sidetracked Sarah says
I usually say that they should feed 6 adults. We have 8 total people in the house, but 2 of them are very small and don't eat much.
Lori says
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.
Sidetracked Sarah says
That's awesome! We love it in our house, too! Thanks for sharing!
Melissa says
I love your freezer meals! =)
Angie says
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?
Sidetracked Sarah says
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!
Lisa says
If I may say so, I so love your freezer meal recipes!!
Sidetracked Sarah says
oh thank you so much! You're so sweet to encourage me that way!
Shonda says
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.
Sidetracked Sarah says
Yes, just stir it in at the end. Sorry, I may need to update the recipe and clarify a bit! 🙂
penny says
how about if i use the rice a roni…if i am going to freeze this can i still use the rice a roni
Sidetracked Sarah says
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.
Sidetracked Sarah says
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.
Kathy says
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?
Sidetracked Sarah says
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.
RachelC says
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!