Rice Con Queso

• cooked brown rice↗3 cups

  seasoned with salt and pepper

• cooked black beans (or black-eyed peas, pinto beans, etc.)1 1⁄3 cups
• garlic↗3 cloves

  minced

• large onion↗1

  chopped

• chilies↗1 can

  chopped

• ricotta cheese↗1⁄2 lb

  thinned with a little low-fat milk (or thin with some yogurt)

• shredded Monterey Jack cheese3⁄4 lb
• shredded cheddar cheese↗1⁄2 cup
• Garnishes
• chopped black olives (optional)
• onion (optional)↗
• fresh parsley (optional)↗

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit.

2. 2

   Mix together cooked rice, cooked beans, garlic, onion, and chiles. In a casserole, spread alternating layers of the rice-beans mixture, ricotta cheese, and jack cheese, ending with a layer of rice and beans.

3. 3

   Bake for 30 minutes. During the last few minutes of baking, sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top. Garnish before serving.