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**Mexican Brown Rice Bake – Gluten-Free: A Flavorful, Healthy Comfort Food**
With its combination of brown rice, savory spices, fresh vegetables, and cheesy goodness, this Mexican Brown Rice Bake is the perfect one-pan dish for busy nights, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd. Plus, it’s customizable to suit your dietary preferences and can be made ahead for convenience.
### Why You’ll Love Mexican Brown Rice Bake:
2. **Packed with Flavor:**
The blend of Mexican-inspired spices—like cumin, chili powder, and paprika—gives this bake a rich, flavorful kick. Add in some fresh veggies, black beans, and a touch of melted cheese, and you’ve got a dish that’s bursting with taste in every bite.
3. **Customizable:**
This dish is incredibly versatile. You can adjust the level of spice, add extra veggies like corn, zucchini, or bell peppers, or even swap in your favorite protein like shredded chicken or ground turkey. You can also make it dairy-free by omitting the cheese or using a plant-based cheese alternative.
5. **Perfect for Meal Prep:**
Since this recipe yields multiple servings, it’s great for meal prepping. You can make a big batch at the beginning of the week and have a delicious, ready-to-go meal for lunches or dinners all week long.
– 1 cup brown rice (uncooked)
– 2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for extra flavor)
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 small onion, diced
– 1 bell pepper, diced
– 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
– 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon chili powder
– 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix of both)
– Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
– Lime wedges (optional, for serving)