Easy Recipes: The Western Meal

I have been making this recipe for years. It is super easy and we love it.

Years ago there was a company called Homemade Gourmet. They sold pre-made mixes. The original version of this recipe called for their taco seasoning, but I now improvise and make it my way since their products are no longer available.

Their version was also made with instant rice, which I switch out steamed brown rice for.

Easy recipes like this are perfect for larger families. It is a one dish meal that feeds an army! Let me show you how to make this.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of ground beef (I used grass fed)
• 1 T olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 pkt Taco Seasoning (Trader Joe’s has a great one!)
• 3 cups of dry brown rice cooked as the instructions indicate
• 2 cans of red kidney beans (I love Trader Joe’s!), drained
• 1 can of dice red tomatoes, undrained (Again, love Trader Joe’s!)
• 1 c shredded cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Start your rice. This takes the longest to cook so get it going.

Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a skillet with the olive oil and garlic. Add the taco seasoning.

(If you’re wanting to cut the flavor down a bit, omit the taco seasoning and just season the meat with salt and pepper and cook the rice in chicken broth. This will add a milder flavor without it being overly bland.)

Add the drained kidney beans and the undrained diced tomatoes to the skillet.

Mix well.

Continue to cook over a simmering heat and let all of the flavors come together.

When the rice is done add it to the skillet and mix everything up well.

Pour the meat and rice mixture into a 9×13 casserole dish.

Top with the shredded cheese.

Pop it in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese melts.

Plate it up.

I like to serve this with some avocado slices and chips and salsa.

This is a meal that comes together pretty quickly and no one leaves the table unsatisfied!

You could also serve it with a side salad and some fruit if you wanted to.

MORE EASY RECIPES:

• Chicken Recipes
• Beef Recipes
• 30 Minute Meals
• Pasta Recipes
• Dessert Recipes
• Crockpot Recipes
• 17 Week Night Dinners