Description
Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly comforting — this easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a go-to family favorite that combines savory ground beef, tender rice, and melty cheddar cheese in a delicious one-dish meal.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
Rice and Broth
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 2 cups beef broth
Other Ingredients
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375 °F (190 °C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature by the time your casserole is ready to bake.
- Brown the beef and onion: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion until the meat is fully browned and the onions have softened. Drain any excess fat to keep it from being greasy.
- Combine rice and liquids: In a mixing bowl, stir together the uncooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly mixed.
- Mix beef with rice mixture: Add the browned ground beef and onions to the rice mixture and stir until everything is well combined.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the beef and rice mixture into a greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, allowing the rice to cook through and absorb the flavors.
- Add cheese topping: Remove the casserole from the oven, uncover it, and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Final bake: Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve and enjoy: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving for the best texture and taste.
Notes
- For a healthier twist, substitute white rice with brown rice and increase baking time by 10 minutes to ensure proper cooking.
- Add peas or corn to the mixture before baking for added texture and sweetness.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated, then baked when ready to serve.
- Feel free to use different cheese varieties like Monterey Jack or mozzarella for variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main / Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
