Description
Hearty Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole combines comforting midwestern flavors with simple ingredients. Home cooks can easily prepare this satisfying meal that brings warmth and nostalgia to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Starches and Base:
- 1 cup white rice, uncooked
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
Liquids:
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Cooking Oil:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of grease.
- In a large skillet, sauté diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbles and cooking until completely browned. Carefully drain any accumulated fat.
- Incorporate uncooked rice, beef broth, milk, cream of mushroom soup, and seasonings into the meat mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Allow the mixture to reach a gentle simmer, ensuring all components are well integrated and heated through.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, which helps the rice absorb liquid and become tender.
- Remove the foil, gently stir the casserole to redistribute moisture, and generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top.
- Return the uncovered dish to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt completely and develop a golden, bubbly surface.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, which helps the dish set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a watery casserole and ensure a rich, concentrated flavor.
- Use long-grain white rice for the best texture and to avoid mushy results.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like monterey jack or pepper jack for added complexity and personalized taste.
- Consider low-sodium broth and reduced-fat dairy options to make this recipe more diet-friendly without compromising deliciousness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 414 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 740 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: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg