Description
Ground beef and rice casserole brings comfort to dinner tables with its hearty, cheesy goodness. Melted cheese, seasoned meat, and fluffy rice combine in one satisfying dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound ground beef
Grains:
- 1 cup uncooked rice (white or brown)
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
Liquid and Soup:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) for optimal casserole preparation.
- Sauté ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until completely browned, eliminating excess fat.
- Incorporate diced onions into the meat, cooking until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Blend the cooked beef mixture with rice, beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, milk, and seasonings in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring thorough and even distribution.
- Carefully transfer the combined mixture into a pre-greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Generously distribute shredded cheddar cheese across the entire surface of the casserole, creating a complete cheese coverage.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to cook thoroughly.
- Uncover the dish and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling topping.
- Allow the casserole to rest and settle for 5 minutes, enabling the ingredients to set and making serving easier and more manageable.
Notes
- Customize meat options by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian alternative.
- Enhance nutrition by adding diced bell peppers, frozen peas, or spinach to boost vegetable content and create a more balanced meal.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like monterey jack, pepper jack, or a blend of cheeses to create different flavor profiles and add exciting texture to the casserole.
- Prepare ahead by assembling the casserole in advance and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 445 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg