Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a hearty, comforting one-dish meal perfect for family dinners. Combining seasoned ground beef, savory cream soup, fluffy rice, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese, it’s easy to prepare and uses simple pantry staples. Baked until bubbly and golden, this casserole offers satisfying flavors and a creamy texture that appeals to all ages, making it a great option for meal prepping or a quick weeknight dinner.
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 the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is browned and the onions are soft, then drain any excess fat.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Make the sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk or beef broth, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble casserole: In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked rice, beef and onion mixture, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the sauce. Mix everything thoroughly so all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Finish baking: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Optional broil: For a crispy cheese topping, place the casserole under the broiler for 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then serve the casserole hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- This casserole is great for meal prepping; store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat thoroughly before serving.
- You can substitute cream of chicken soup if you prefer a different flavor profile.
- Use beef broth instead of milk to make it lactose-free if needed.
- For extra vegetables, consider adding diced bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions.
- If you want a lower fat option, use reduced-fat cheese and lean ground beef or ground turkey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 184 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg
