Cheesy Baked Taco Orzo is loaded with seasoned ground beef, Rotel, corn and plenty of melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

Cheesy baked taco orzo is exactly the kind of easy dinner I love making when I’m craving Mexican-inspired flavors without a lot of work. Everything gets mixed together right in the baking dish and the oven does most of the cooking for you.

The taco-seasoned beef gives the orzo so much flavor while Rotel, corn and a few simple seasonings make every bite delicious. Then, of course, everything gets finished with a generous layer of gooey melted cheese.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy casserole dinner – Everything comes together in one baking dish for a simple, hearty meal.
Loaded with taco flavor – Seasoned beef, Rotel, cumin and chili powder give the orzo tons of flavor.
Super cheesy – Cheddar and Monterey Jack melt together into the perfect cheesy topping.
Family friendly – It’s a fun way to turn taco night into a comforting baked pasta dinner.

Ingredients

Here is everything you’ll need to make this delicious recipe. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Orzo – The small pasta cooks right in the baking dish and absorbs all that seasoned beef broth.
Ground Beef – Browned and seasoned with taco seasoning before being added to the casserole.
Taco Seasoning – Gives the ground beef that classic taco flavor.
Rotel – Adds tomatoes, green chiles and a little extra flavor and moisture.
Corn – Adds a little sweetness and texture.
Onion – Diced onion adds another layer of savory flavor.
Garlic – Fresh garlic adds tons of flavor to the casserole.
Beef Broth – Cooks the orzo and adds much more flavor than using water.
Salt & Pepper – Enhances all of the other flavors.
Garlic Powder – Adds another subtle layer of garlic flavor.
Cumin – Gives the casserole a warm, earthy taco flavor.
Chili Powder – Adds a little extra Mexican-inspired flavor without making the dish overly spicy.
Garlic Powder – Adds another subtle layer of garlic flavor.
Cumin – Gives the casserole a warm, earthy taco flavor.
Chili Powder – Adds a little extra Mexican-inspired flavor without making the dish overly spicy.
Cheddar Cheese – Adds a rich, sharp cheesy topping.
Monterey Jack Cheese – Melts beautifully and makes the topping extra creamy and gooey.

How To Make It

Heres how to make this amazing Tex Mex meal. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease, then add the taco seasoning and prepare the beef according to the seasoning packet directions.

greased baking dish with taco seasoned ground beef

Add the dry orzo to the prepared baking dish. Add the taco-seasoned ground beef, Rotel, corn, diced onion and garlic.Pour in the beef broth, then season everything with salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder and chili powder.

orzo, beef broth, taco seasoned ground beef, rotel and corn in baking dish.

Stir everything together well, making sure the orzo is evenly distributed and mostly submerged in the liquid. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and stir the orzo. Turn the oven off.

taco orzo covered in baking dish and cooked

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack evenly over the top. Cover the baking dish again and return it to the warm oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted. Remove the casserole from the oven, let it rest for about 5 minutes, then serve warm.

Pro Tips

Cover it tightly. You want to trap the steam inside the baking dish so the orzo can properly absorb the broth and cook.
Season the beef first. Taco seasoning directly on the ground beef gives you better flavor than relying only on seasoning the entire casserole.
Don’t overdo the additional salt. Taco seasoning and beef broth already contain salt, so start lightly and adjust if needed.
Give it a good stir before adding the cheese. This redistributes any remaining liquid and helps make the finished orzo creamy and evenly cooked.
Let it rest for 5 minutes. The orzo will continue absorbing a little liquid and thicken as it sits.

Variations

Make it spicy – Add diced jalapeños or use hot Rotel.
Switch the protein – Ground turkey or ground chicken can replace the beef.
Add black beans – Drain and rinse a can of black beans and stir some into the casserole for an even heartier meal.
Change the cheese – Pepper Jack is a great option if you want a little extra heat.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover cheesy baked taco orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. Since orzo continues to absorb moisture as it sits, adding a small splash of beef broth before reheating can help bring back its creamy texture.

Leftovers can also be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.