Skillet Hamburger & Rice Taco Hotdish

I love a one-pan meal that comes together with pantry staples in 30 minutes or less!  This hamburger and rice dish can easily be altered for your own spice preferences and anything else you like mixed in!  We like topping it with crushed up doritos!

Enjoy!

Skillet Hamburger & Rice Taco Hotdish

1 lb Ground Beef
1 Small Onion, minced
2 1/2 Cups Water
2 Tsp Beef Better Than Bouillon
1/2 Cup (uncooked) Long-Grain White Rice
1 Can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 Can Corn, drained
1/4 Cup Tomato Paste
1 Tsp Onion Powder
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
1 Tsp Chili Powder
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Cumin
1/4 Tsp Oregano
1/4 Tsp Pepper
Shredded Cheddar Cheese for topping

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown hamburger with onion.  Once no pink remains in hamburger, drain off grease, and return to pan.  Stir in water, bouillon, rice, beans, corn, and seasonings.  Bring to boil, cover, and reduce heat to simmer.  Cook covered at a simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring a few times while cooking, until rice reaches desired tenderness.  Remove from heat, top with shredded cheese, cover and allow residual heat to melt cheese.  Serve warm as is or with your favorite taco toppings.

Notes: If using really lean hamburger, add 1 tbsp olive oil to pan when frying.  Beef broth can be used instead of water and bouillon.  Brown rice can be substituted, but will require longer simmer time.

Ham and Swiss Rice Casserole with Broccoli

Our family really liked this casserole or as we call it in these parts, hot dish!  A great way to use up leftover ham.  The star ingredients, veggies, protein, cheese, rice etc, can easily be substituted for what you have on hand/prefer.  The recipe can also easily be made ahead in the morning to throw in the oven for supper or frozen for another day!

Enjoy!

Ham and Swiss Rice Casserole

2 Tbsp Butter
1/2 Cup Onion, chopped
2 1/4 Cups Chicken Broth
1 1/4 Cup Long Grain White Rice
2 Heads Broccoli, cut into chunks
2 Cups Cooked Ham, diced
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
3/4 Cup Milk
1 - 8oz Pkg Swiss and Gruyére Shredded Cheese (Found at Aldi)
Pepper

Topping:
1 Cup Ritz Crackers, crushed
2 Tbsp Butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Add diced onions and cook for approximately 5 minutes, until softened.  Add broth and rice to pan; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to a simmer, cover pan, and cook for 8 minutes.  Remove lid, stir rice up from the bottom with a spatula, add broccoli, replace lid, and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes.  Turn off heat on pan.  Stir in ham, soup, sour cream, milk, half (1 cup) of the cheese, and season to taste.  Spread into lightly greased 9x13 pan and top with remaining cheese.  Cover and bake for 20 minutes.  Combine cracker crumbs with melted butter; spread over the top of casserole and bake an additional 10 minutes uncovered.  Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes: If using frozen broccoli, allow it to thaw and drain ahead of time (or pat dry).  Some prepackaged ham comes in water, you will want to let it dry a little on a paper towel or pan fry quick before adding to recipe (this step is not necessary if using leftover baked ham).