Description
A comforting and hearty Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole, perfect for a family dinner. This dish features seasoned ground beef combined with cooked rice and a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese for a deliciously cheesy finish. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s an easy one-dish meal that satisfies everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- 1/2 cup milk or beef broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is fully browned and the onion becomes soft and translucent. Drain excess fat from the skillet to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk or beef broth, paprika, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful creamy sauce.
- Assemble the casserole: In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked rice, the beef and onion mixture, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the prepared sauce. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Finish baking: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Optional broil: For an extra crispy cheese topping, broil the casserole for 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve the casserole hot, enjoying the comforting blend of flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom for a slightly different flavor.
- Using beef broth instead of milk can add a deeper savory taste to the sauce.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure the cream of mushroom soup is a gluten-free variety.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
- For added veggies, consider mixing in some cooked peas or diced bell peppers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
