Description
A comforting Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole featuring tender ground beef, flavorful cream sauce, and melted cheddar cheese baked to golden perfection. Ideal for an easy and hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
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
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
Optional
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the 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 browned and the onion is softened, then drain any excess fat.
- 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 until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked rice, beef and onion mixture, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the prepared sauce. Mix everything thoroughly to combine evenly.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining shredded 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 for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown on top.
- Optional Broil: For a crispier 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 for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Use cream of chicken soup as an alternative to cream of mushroom based on preference or availability.
- Substitute white rice with brown rice for a healthier option, but increase cooking time slightly.
- Milk can be replaced with beef broth to reduce fat content or add extra flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the sauce.
- If you want to add vegetables, mix in peas or chopped bell peppers with the rice before baking.
- Drain excess grease from cooked ground beef to keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
- Covering the dish with foil prevents the cheese from burning while baking initially.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
