Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish combining seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and creamy mushroom sauce, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Rice and Sauce
- 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 and Garnish
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat 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 along with diced onion until the beef is fully browned and the onion becomes soft. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until it becomes 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 creamy sauce.
- Assemble casserole: In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked white rice, the browned beef and onion mixture, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the prepared sauce. Mix everything thoroughly to evenly distribute ingredients.
- Top and bake: Evenly sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top of the mixture. 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 golden brown on top.
- Optional broil: For a crispier cheese topping, broil the casserole for 2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use cream of chicken soup as a substitute for cream of mushroom if preferred.
- Brown the beef thoroughly and drain fat well to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Cook rice ahead of time or use leftover rice to save prep time.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste preference.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cheese and milk options.
- Fresh parsley adds color and freshness but can be omitted if unavailable.
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
