Easy Spanish Rice Casserole

This easy Spanish rice casserole is an easy, kid-friendly dinner idea that features crispy bacon, tomatoes, rice, and Cheddar cheese.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 753 Calories

Ingredients

• salt to taste
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 4 cups cooked white rice
• 1 pound bacon
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 (16 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, halved

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels. Partially drain fat from the skillet.

Step 3

Heat remaining bacon fat in the skillet over medium heat. Cook onion and bell pepper in the fat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, pepper, and salt; continue to cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add cooked rice to sauce mixture. Transfer rice and sauce mixture to a large mixing bowl.

Step 4

Crumble bacon. Stir 3/4 of the Cheddar cheese and 3/4 of the crumbled bacon into the hot rice mixture until cheese is melted. Transfer to a 9x11-inch glass oven-proof dish. Sprinkle remaining bacon and Cheddar cheese on top.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese on top is bubbly, about 25 minutes.