Easy Tex-Mex Casserole

By Hollywood

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This super simple, Easy Tex-Mex Casserole is a favorite of mine! It always receives rave reviews, comes together in a snap, and is very adaptable – you can change or alter the ingredients based on your family’s preferences. It’s similar to a 7-layer dip, in that it’s built one layer over another. – Tara

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 3/4 cups instant brown rice, cooked
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with lime juice and cilantro, such as Rotel®, undrained
• 1 (15-ounce) can corn
• 1 (16-ounce) can fat-free refried beans
• 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup chopped grape tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Spray a temp-tations® 9″ pie dish with cooking spray. Arrange cooked brown rice in a layer on bottom of pie dish.
Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, onion, chili powder, cumin, salt, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes, stirring to crumble. Add can of diced tomatoes; cook 5 minutes or until liquid evaporates.
Spoon turkey mixture over rice. Then top turkey mixture with corn. Carefully spread refried beans over corn with a spatula. Sprinkle cheese over refried beans.
Bake for 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes; top with chopped tomato and green onions.

Tara’s Tidbits™: Garnish with additional favorites to suit your tastes – from black olives and sliced avocado to fresh chopped cilantro and sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt – a healthier alternative). White or yellow rice can be substituted for the brown rice. The recipe can be doubled and made in a 13×9 baker!