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    Home » Recipes » Plain Culture

    Big Montana Beefy Rice Casserole

    Published: Jun 7, 2022 · Updated: Jun 7, 2022 by Kevin Williams | 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    One of the most unique Amish settlements I’ve ever been to is Rexford, Montana.

    Big Montana Beefy Casserole

    First of all, it’s not really in Rexford… I think it took me like 20 minutes to get from Rexford to the Amish community, perhaps even 30. The settlement would be more accurately called West Kootenai. The Kootenai Amish community is nestled in a mountain valley just a few miles south of the Canadian border in the far far northwestern corner of Montana. 

    Many Amish with the itch to move west for adventure and an outdoorsy life come here and stay for a while. Many of them eventually tire from being so far from their families out east that they often just stay a couple years and then head back. But some do stick around.


    The Amish cooking out here takes on a real western flavor: salmon, moose meat, bear meat, plus, more traditional dishes. This meal Isn’t your “can of cream of mushroom soup casserole that is so common in Amish communities in the Midwest, this is a more scratch-based casserole. Very hearty.

    The beautiful scenery around Rexford, Montana....

    The scenery in the above photo is actually a good 30 minutes east of Rexford near the town of Eureka at sunset, close to the Canadian border.

    One of the best times for an outsider to visit the Kootenai community is durng their annual school house auction. That just occurred a few weeks ago, and here you can buy quilts, farm equipment, odds and ends, and I think probably one of the biggest appeals is the food.  Amish America recently posted some photos from the auction.

    This Big Montana Beefy Rice Casserole recipe originates from the Amish community in Rexford, Montana and was given to me when I visited about 10 years ago. Let's take a look at some photos of the recipe.

    A good mix of beef and beans gives this casserole great flavor! You can use potatoes or rice interchangeably in this, but we went with rice.

    Big Montana Beefy Casserole

    It is a colorful casserole going into the oven. You can switch up aspects of the recipe. You can use any kind of cheese - shredded Mozzarella, Colby, Mexican cheese blends, or even Parmesan.

    Also, sliced mushrooms could be added to this recipe. Add some corn, whatever you want to make this a big, beefy blend!

    The beans and beef are quintessential "Montana Amish cowboy" food.

    Big Montana Beefy Casserole

    Jump to:
    • 🖨️ Full Recipe

    🍲 Big Montana Beefy Rice Casserole

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 tablespoon salad oil
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 large onion, chopped
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 2 1 /2 cups tomatoes or juice
    • 1 pint navy beans (cooked)
    • 1 cup cooked rice or potatoes
    • 3 /4 cups grated cheese

    📋 Instructions

    1. Brown meat in oil. 
    2. Add salt, onions, and chili powder and simmer for 5 minutes. 
    3. Stir in tomatoes, beans, and rice. 
    4. Place in greased casserole dish and bake uncovered for 1 hour at 350. 
    5. Put cheese on top and bake 15 minutes long or until cheese melts.

    🍚 More Amish Rice Recipes

    Sour Cream Rice Bake - Delicious!

    Cheesy Rice and Sausage Bake - Amazing!

    Famous Chicken and Rice - Classic Amish Dish
    Taco Rice - A bit of spice!

    🖨️ Full Recipe

    Big Montana Beefy Casserole

    Big Beefy Montana Casserole

    Big Taste From Big Sky!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Amish

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 tablespoon salad oil
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 large onion, chopped
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 2 1 /2 cups tomatoes or juice
    • 1 pint navy beans (cooked)
    • 1 cup cooked rice or potatoes
    • ¾ cup grated cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Brown meat in oil. 
    • Add salt, onions, and chili powder and simmer for 5 minutes.
    •   Stir in tomatoes, beans, and rice. 
    • Place in greased casserole dish and bake uncovered for 1 hour at 350. 
    • Put cheese on top and bake 15 minutes long or until cheese melts.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    About Kevin Williams

    Hi, my name is Kevin Williams and I am owner of Oasis Newsfeatures and editor of The Amish Cook newspaper column.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aunt Jackie

      June 23, 2021 at 3:43 pm

      I’m having a hard time getting these ingredients together in my head, whether they would all be good together. I am real surprised there are no comments at all, not even one. What does that say to me, try or not? Can’t decide.

      Reply
      • Kevin Williams

        June 23, 2021 at 4:52 pm

        I just posted it, so that is why no comments, but if you make it let me know how it turns out!

        Reply

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    Kevin Williams - The Amish Editor Amish Cook Column

    Hi There, I'm Kevin!

    Welcome to Amish365, where I share my knowledge of Amish cooking and culture! I’ve spent almost three decades exploring Amish settlements and kitchens from Maine to Montana and almost everywhere in between. I’ll occasionally throw in stories of my travels, journalism adventures (I’m a Pulitzer prize-nominated journalist), fascination with grocery stores and Kmarts, and much more!

    More about me →

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