Description
Beef and rice casserole brings comfort straight to your dinner table with hearty layers of ground beef, rice, and melty cheese that make family mealtime deliciously satisfying. Warm, filling, and packed with flavor, this classic dish delivers simple goodness that everyone around the table will appreciate.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 8 oz sliced button mushrooms
Starches and Grains:
- 1 ¼ cups uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
Seasonings and Dairy:
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (divided)
- 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup onions (diced)
- 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to a steady 350°F, ensuring the rack sits in the center position for even heating.
- Brown 1 lb ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, sprinkling 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for robust flavor. Drain excess fat completely.
- Melt 2 Tbsp butter in the same pot, then sauté ¾ cup diced onions until translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add 1 Tbsp minced garlic and cook for another 60 seconds.
- Pour 2 ½ cups beef broth and remaining butter into the pot with 1 ¼ cups rice. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Distribute 8 oz sliced mushrooms across the rice surface without stirring. Cover and continue cooking 5-10 minutes until rice reaches perfect tenderness.
- Remove pot from heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 10 minutes to absorb remaining moisture.
- Fold in cooked beef, 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup, ½ cup milk, ½ cup sour cream, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese across the top, creating a golden, melty surface.
- Bake covered for 20 minutes at 350°F until cheese becomes completely melted and edges bubble invitingly.
Notes
- Brown the ground beef thoroughly to develop rich, deep flavor and prevent any raw meat texture.
- Select long-grain white rice for best texture, which absorbs liquid more evenly and creates a fluffy result.
- Season generously with Italian seasoning and adjust salt and pepper to personal taste preferences.
- When adding mushrooms, distribute them evenly across the top to ensure consistent moisture and flavor throughout the casserole.
- Prep Time: 11 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 491 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 635 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 103 mg