Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Featuring savory ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and melted cheddar cheese, it’s a hearty meal that combines simple ingredients for a satisfying bake. The casserole is topped with bubbly, golden cheese and optionally garnished with fresh parsley for extra flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 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
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 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 and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef with the diced onion until the beef is fully browned and the onion softens. Drain excess fat for a leaner dish.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, ensuring the garlic releases its flavor without burning.
- Prepare 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 that will bind the ingredients together.
- Assemble the Casserole: In the greased baking dish, combine the cooked rice, beef and onion mixture, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the prepared sauce. Mix everything thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Top with Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top of the mixture. Cover the dish with foil to keep moisture in and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Optional Broil: For an extra crispy cheese crust, broil the casserole for 2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Serve and Garnish: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve the casserole hot for a delicious and filling meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup if preferred.
- Using beef broth instead of milk can add a richer flavor to the sauce and reduce lactose content.
- To make this dish low fat, use lean ground beef and low-fat cheese versions.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Cook the rice ahead of time or use leftover rice to save time.
- Adding some chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms in step 2 can increase the veggie content.
Keywords: Cheesy beef casserole, ground beef casserole, rice casserole, comfort food, easy dinner recipe, baked casserole
