Description
Hearty cheesy ground beef and rice casserole brings comfort to dinner tables with its rich, satisfying layers. Melted cheese and seasoned beef combine perfectly over fluffy rice, creating a simple yet delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Starches:
- 1 cup white rice, uncooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Dairy and Soups:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) cream of cheddar soup
- 2 cups beef broth
Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, sautéing diced onions until translucent and soft.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbles and cooking until completely browned. Drain any accumulated fat.
- Season the beef mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika, stirring to distribute spices evenly.
- Transfer the seasoned beef to a large mixing bowl and combine with uncooked rice, beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, and cream of cheddar soup. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well incorporated.
- Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid and become tender.
- Remove the foil and generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface of the casserole.
- Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing the ingredients to set before serving.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by using freshly minced garlic instead of garlic powder for a more robust taste profile.
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that works perfectly for different dietary needs.
- Rinse rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent a sticky texture, ensuring each grain remains separate and fluffy.
- Add a crispy breadcrumb topping by mixing panko crumbs with melted butter and sprinkling over the cheese for extra texture and golden-brown crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 416 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1067 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg