Monterey Jack Casserole

Get ready to indulge in pure comfort food bliss with this Monterey Jack Casserole—a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that’s bursting with bold flavors and creamy textures. This casserole layers tender ground beef sautéed with fragrant garlic, tangy tomatoes, and spicy green chilies, combining it with fluffy white rice, sweet corn, and creamy sour cream. Topped with a generous blanket of melty Monterey Jack cheese, this baked masterpiece offers the perfect balance of spice and richness. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple pantry staples, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve it with a side of fresh salad or warm tortillas for a complete Southwestern-inspired feast. This easy, cheesy Monterey Jack Casserole is the ultimate combination of flavor, warmth, and comfort!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 4 oz canned green chilies, diced
• 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices), canned green chilies, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.

Step 6

In a large bowl, mix the cooked white rice, sour cream, and frozen corn kernels. Stir until well combined.

Step 7

Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray or a light coating of olive oil.

Step 8

Spread half of the rice mixture on the bottom of the casserole dish, followed by half of the beef mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top.

Step 9

Repeat the layers with the remaining rice mixture, beef mixture, and finish with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese on top.

Step 10

Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 12

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2100.5 grams (2100.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3262

Total Fat 217.30g	279%
Saturated Fat 105.60g	528%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.60g
Cholesterol 616mg	205%
Sodium 6437mg	280%
Total Carbohydrate 196.10g	71%
Dietary Fiber 17.00g	61%
Total Sugars 50.10g
Protein 162.20g	324%

Vitamin D 48IU	240%
Calcium 2116mg	163%
Iron 18mg	101%
Potassium 3041mg	65%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.7%

Protein: 19.1%

Carbs: 23.1%