Gaucho Casserole

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Dec. 21, 2023
"When our daughters graduated from college, my husband and I made recipe books for their closest friends," says Dianne Hennis of King George, Virginia. "This dish was a big hit."

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 small green pepper, chopped
  • 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 envelope reduced-sodium taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1-1/3 cups uncooked instant rice
  • 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend

Directions

  1. Crumble the beef into an ungreased 2-1/2-qt. microwave-safe dish. Add onion and green pepper. Cover and microwave on high for 4-1/2 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, stirring every 2 minutes; drain.
  2. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, taco seasoning and chili powder. Cover and microwave on high for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 minutes or until bubbly, stirring every 2 minutes. Stir in rice.
  3. Transfer to a shallow 2-1/2-qt. microwave-safe dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and let stand for 6-8 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and microwave on high for another minute or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 304 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 670mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 7g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.