Description
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table with minimal prep and maximum flavor. Grab your favorite baking dish and prepare for a hearty meal that satisfies hungry families with simple ingredients and zero fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Starch:
- 1 cup uncooked rice
Dairy and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat your oven to precisely 350F, preparing a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Grab a large skillet and add 1 pound ground beef with 1 chopped onion, breaking meat into small crumbles while cooking over medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes.
- Carefully drain away 2-3 tablespoons of excess fat from the cooked beef, keeping meat and onions in the skillet.
- Pour 1 cup uncooked rice, 2 cups beef broth, and 1 can cream of mushroom soup into the skillet with the beef mixture.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper across the mixture, stirring thoroughly to blend all ingredients.
- Transfer the entire skillet contents into your prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Generously scatter 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole, covering the surface completely.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 33 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Always brown ground beef thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavor and prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
- Select long-grain white rice for best texture, as it holds up better during baking and absorbs flavors more effectively.
- For a gluten-free version, replace cream of mushroom soup with a homemade white sauce using gluten-free flour or cornstarch.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like monterey jack or pepper jack to add subtle variations in taste and make the dish more interesting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 670 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg