Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef & Rice Casserole is a hearty and comforting one-dish meal featuring seasoned ground beef, tender rice, mixed vegetables, and a creamy cheesy sauce baked to perfection. It’s perfect for family dinners and easy to customize with your favorite veggies or protein substitutions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of cheddar cheese soup
- 1 ¾ cups beef broth
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the casserole evenly.
- Sauté Aromatics and Brown Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if necessary to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Season the Beef Mixture: Stir Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and black pepper into the cooked ground beef until evenly combined for robust flavor.
- Combine Casserole Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the uncooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, cream of cheddar cheese soup, and beef broth. Add the cooked and seasoned ground beef mixture along with frozen peas and carrots and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with oil or butter. Transfer the entire mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly for uniform cooking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes to allow the rice to cook and flavors to meld.
- Finish Baking with Cheese Topping: Remove the foil gently, stir the mixture slightly to distribute heat and moisture, then sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes after baking to set and cool slightly, making it easier to serve.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of this casserole.
- Add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms for extra vegetables and flavor variety.
- For a spicier kick, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño when cooking the beef.
