Mexican Style Black Bean Casserole (Vegetarian)
 
 
A super simple and crave-worthy yummy casserole featuring every day wholesome ingredients. Perfect for busy week nights (or any time!).
Author:
Ingredients
  • 2 yellow onions, diced
  • 1 heaping Tbsp chili powder or other spicy chile pepper, as desired (see Notes)
  • 2 tsp cumin powder
  • 2 green bell peppers (or other vegetable), chopped
  • ½ cup pitted and sliced green or Kalamata olives
  • 2 cups of your favourite salsa
  • 2 ish cups cooked brown rice or rice of choice (could also use quinoa)
  • 3 cups cooked black beans, thoroughly rinsed if using canned
  • ½ to 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or other cheese
Instructions
  1. You will need a 2.5 quart/ 2.3 L casserole dish.
  2. Heat oven to 375 F.
  3. Sauté onion in a large skillet with some olive oil. Sprinkle chili and cumin powder over onion while it is cooking (there should be enough oil such that onion is not dry but rather moist/translucent), stirring to coat. Once onion has softened, remove from skillet, setting aside. Place black beans, bell pepper and olives in the same skillet used for the onion. Add ¾ cup of salsa to the beans mixture and stir to integrate over low heat.
  4. Meanwhile, spread brown rice out along base of an oven safe casserole dish (2.5 quart/ 2.3 L is the size I used) such that it forms the bottom layer. Top rice with remaining 1 + ¼ cup of salsa to form second layer. Spread onion mixture over salsa. Add black bean/bell pepper/olive mixture over onions and top with shredded cheese.
  5. Place casserole in oven uncovered and allow it to cook for approximately 30-45 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown along the edges.
  6. Remove casserole from oven and allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving (I cut my piece too soon and got the droops). Add more seasoning as desired and serve with another dollop of salsa, guacamole and/or plain yogurt.
Notes
The Chili/Chile: you can use any chili powder (mild/spicy) you choose. Generic "chili powder" found in the grocery store is a spice blend (typically made from a mix of mild chile, onion, salt and herbs) that is generally fairly mild. If you enjoy things on the spicier side, a few ideas: chop up a fresh jalapeno pepper or two; try a warming full-bodied chile powder such as ancho or one with a bit more bite such as chipotle (from powder or chopped from whole in adobo sauce). Alternatively, you could also could also ramp up the heat by using a spicy salsa.
Recipe by Inspired Edibles at https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/04/spicy-black-bean-mexican-casserole.html