Taco Rice With Beef And Refried Beans

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups water
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning, divided
• 4 cups instant rice, uncooked
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 lb ground beef or 1 lb vegetarian ground beef
• 16 ounces fat-free refried beans
• 8 ounces reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In large saucepan, mix together the first 5 ingredients plus half the taco seasoning. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in rice, cover and let stand 5 minutes, then add tomato sauce.
3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook ground beef over med-high heat until browned. Drain off the grease. Mix the remaining taco seasoning with the beef.
4. In a 13x9" baking dish coated with cooking spray, spread half of the rice mixture. Spread the refried beans evenly over the top. Then spread the beef mixture and top with 1/2 the cheese. Spread remaining rice mixture, and top with the remaining cheese.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until cheese melts.

onion, green bell pepper, salt, black pepper, water, taco seasoning, instant rice, tomato sauce, ground beef, beans, cheddar cheese

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/taco-rice-with-beef-and-refried-beans-429161 (may not work)