20 Make Ahead Mexican Rice And Beans Recipe Dive Into Deliciousness!
Published on: Apr 15, 2024
Mexican cuisine is known for its bold flavors and vibrant colors, and one dish that embodies this perfectly is the classic rice and beans. However, making this dish from scratch can be time-consuming and daunting. That's why having a make-ahead recipe in your arsenal is a game-changer. With a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and comforting meal ready to go whenever you need it. In this article, we will share our go-to make-ahead Mexican rice and beans recipe, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping for the week ahead.
Main Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Onion, Chili Pepper
This recipe is a delicious twist on traditional chicken and rice. Layered with Mexican flavors, this dish is a crowd pleaser. Start by cooking chicken breast in a skillet until golden brown. In a separate pot, cook white rice according to package instructions. In a casserole dish, layer the rice, chicken, black beans, corn, salsa, and cheddar cheese on top. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
This recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a quick and easy meal. Start by cooking ground beef in a skillet until fully cooked. Add in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salsa to give the beef a Mexican flair. In a separate pot, cook white rice according to package instructions. Assemble your bowl by layering the rice, beef, black beans, shredded cheese, and sour cream. Top with diced avocado and fresh tomatoes. Enjoy!
3of 20
Pastor Ryan’s Mexican Lasagna
Main Ingredients: Rice, Low Sodium Chicken Broth, Tomatoes, Onions
This recipe is a unique twist on classic lasagna. In a skillet, cook ground pork and ground beef until fully cooked. Add in chopped onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the meat mixture. In a separate pot, cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. In a casserole dish, layer the noodles, meat mixture, enchilada sauce, and shredded cheese. Repeat until all ingredients are used. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a side of salsa and sour cream.
4of 20
Slow Cooker Vegan Brown Rice Mexican Bowl with Black...
Main Ingredients: Rice, Vegetable Stock, Finely Chopped Onion, Red Bell
This recipe is perfect for those following a vegan diet. In a slow cooker, combine black beans, corn, bell peppers, onion, garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. In a separate pot, cook brown rice according to package instructions. Serve the bean mixture over the rice and top with diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. This dish is packed with flavor and nutrients.
This classic Mexican dish is a staple in many households. In a skillet, cook ground beef until fully cooked. Add in chopped onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the meat mixture. In a separate pot, cook white rice according to package instructions. Add the rice to the skillet with the meat mixture. Stir in a can of pinto beans and let simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with a side of salsa and sour cream.
6of 20
Slow Cooker (One Pot) Mexican Rice and Beans with...
Main Ingredients: Garlic Cloves, Jalapeno, Brown Rice, Vegetable Broth
This recipe is perfect for those busy days when you want a delicious meal with minimal effort. In a slow cooker, combine white rice, chorizo sausage, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with a side of shredded cheese and sour cream. This one pot meal is sure to become a family favorite.
7of 20
Instant pot Mexican rice and beans
Main Ingredients: Black Beans, Long Grain Brown Rice, Diced Tomato
If you have an instant pot, this recipe is for you. Start by cooking ground beef in the instant pot until fully cooked. Add in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salsa to the beef. Stir in white rice and black beans. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Release the pressure and top with shredded cheese and diced avocado. This dish is quick, easy, and packed with flavor.
8of 20
Mexican Rice and Beans Casserole
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Lean Ground Beef, Chili Powder, Cumin
This casserole is a delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for feeding a crowd. In a skillet, cook ground beef until fully cooked. Add in chopped onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the meat mixture. In a casserole dish, layer the meat mixture, white rice, black beans, and enchilada sauce. Top with shredded cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a side of salsa and sour cream.
9of 20
Instant Pot Mexican Rice and Beans
Main Ingredients: Dried Black Beans, Brown Rice, Salsa, Frozen Corn, Red
This recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a quick and easy meal. In an instant pot, combine white rice, black beans, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, diced tomatoes, and salsa. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Release the pressure and stir in shredded cheese and diced avocado. This dish is a complete meal in one pot.
10of 20
Mexican Rice and Beans with Chorizo
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Medium Yellow Onion, Jalapeno Peppers
This recipe is a twist on traditional rice and beans. Start by cooking chorizo sausage in a skillet until fully cooked. Add in chopped onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the sausage. In a separate pot, cook white rice according to package instructions. Serve the sausage mixture over the rice and top with shredded cheese and salsa. This dish is full of flavor and perfect for a quick meal.
11of 20
One Pot Cheesy Mexican Rice and Beans Skillet
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Green Bell Pepper, Garlic, Onion, Salsa
This one pot meal is perfect for those who hate doing dishes. In a skillet, cook ground beef until fully cooked. Add in chopped onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the beef. Stir in white rice, black beans, cumin, chili powder, and enchilada sauce. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream. This dish is a complete meal in one skillet.
For those who want to take their cooking skills to the next level, try making homemade tamales. Start by preparing the masa dough with corn flour, chili powder, and salt. In a separate pot, cook shredded chicken with salsa and chopped onion. Spread the dough onto a corn husk and add the chicken mixture. Roll up the husk and steam for 45 minutes. Serve with a side of salsa and sour cream.
13of 20
One Skillet Cheesy Mexican Casserole
Main Ingredients: Canola Oil, Ground Beef, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder
This dish is perfect for those who want a quick and easy meal with minimal clean up. In a skillet, cook ground beef until fully cooked. Add in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salsa to the beef. Stir in white rice, black beans, and corn. Top with shredded cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a side of sour cream and diced avocado.
This casserole is a delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for feeding a crowd. In a skillet, cook chicken breast until fully cooked. Add in chopped onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the chicken. In a casserole dish, layer the chicken mixture, white rice, black beans, corn, and enchilada sauce. Top with shredded cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a side of salsa and sour cream.
This recipe is a deconstructed version of a traditional burrito. Start by cooking ground beef in a skillet until fully cooked. Add in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salsa to the beef. In a separate pot, cook white rice according to package instructions. Assemble your bowl by adding the rice, beef, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
16of 20
One Pot Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Ground Beef, Onion, Garlic, Taco Seasoning
This one pot meal is perfect for those who want a quick and easy dinner. In a skillet, cook ground beef until fully cooked. Add in chopped onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the beef. Stir in white rice, black beans, cumin, chili powder, enchilada sauce, and corn. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Top with shredded cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a side of salsa and sour cream.
17of 20
Mexican Black Beans & Rice
Main Ingredients: Rice, Black Beans, Diced Tomatoes Green Chilies
This simple and flavorful dish is perfect for a quick lunch or side dish. In a pot, cook white rice according to package instructions. In a separate pot, heat black beans with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and chopped onion. Serve the beans over the rice and top with a sprinkle of feta cheese and fresh cilantro.
18of 20
Crock Pot Fiesta Mexican Chicken & Rice
Main Ingredients: Lime Juice, Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, Garlic Salt
This recipe is perfect for those busy days when you want a delicious meal with minimal effort. In a slow cooker, combine chicken breast, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. In a separate pot, cook white rice according to package instructions. Serve the chicken mixture over the rice and top with shredded cheese and sour cream.
This recipe is perfect for those who want a restaurant quality meal at home. Start by marinating thinly sliced steak in a mixture of lime juice, olive oil, garlic, and cumin. In a skillet, cook the steak until fully cooked. In the same skillet, cook sliced bell peppers and onion until tender. Serve the steak and vegetables on warm tortillas with a side of salsa and sour cream.
20of 20
Chile Relleno
Main Ingredients: Flour, Egg, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Lager Beer, Poblano
This traditional Mexican dish is a must-try. Start by roasting poblano peppers in the oven until the skin is charred. Let cool and peel off the skin. Cut a slit in the pepper and remove the seeds. In a skillet, cook ground beef until fully cooked. Stuff the peppers with the beef and top with shredded cheese. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a side of salsa and sour cream.
The Importance of Make-Ahead Recipes
Save Time and Effort
One of the main reasons to have a make-ahead Mexican rice and beans recipe in your repertoire is the time and effort it saves. Traditional recipes may require you to cook the rice and beans separately, adding in various spices and seasonings, and then combine them together. This can take up a significant amount of time, especially on busy weeknights. With a make-ahead recipe, you can do all the prep work in advance and have a delicious meal ready in no time.
Convenient for Meal Planning
Meal planning has become increasingly popular for those looking to save time and money. Having a make-ahead recipe like Mexican rice and beans allows you to prepare a large batch of food in advance, making it easier to portion out for meals throughout the week. You can also freeze leftovers for future meals, making it a budget-friendly and convenient option.
Consistent and Flavorful Results
Another advantage of make-ahead recipes is that they often result in more consistent and flavorful dishes. By allowing the spices and seasonings to marinate and meld together, the flavors become more pronounced and well-balanced. This is especially true for Mexican rice and beans, where the combination of spices such as cumin, chili powder, and oregano is crucial for an authentic taste.
Our Make-Ahead Mexican Rice and Beans Recipe
Now that you understand the benefits of a make-ahead recipe, let's dive into our delicious and straightforward Mexican rice and beans recipe. The key to this dish is using quality ingredients and allowing enough time for the flavors to come together.
In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add in the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and jalapeno pepper, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add in the rice and stir until coated with the vegetable mixture. Next, add in the diced tomatoes, chicken or vegetable broth, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked.
Once the rice is cooked, stir in the black beans and let it cook for an additional 5 minutes until heated through.
Remove from heat and let it cool before dividing it into meal-sized portions. You can also freeze any leftovers for future meals.
When ready to serve, reheat the rice and beans in the microwave or on the stovetop. Top with your preferred toppings and enjoy!
Conclusion
With just a few simple steps, you can have a tasty and convenient make-ahead Mexican rice and beans recipe ready for any busy day. This dish is versatile, budget-friendly, and bursting with flavor, making it the perfect addition to your meal planning rotation. Give it a try and see for yourself how much time and effort this make-ahead recipe can save you.
