Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish combining savory ground beef, tender rice, and melted cheddar cheese. Enhanced with flavorful seasonings, creamy soups, and mixed vegetables, it bakes into a satisfying one-dish meal perfect for family dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Soups and Liquids
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
Grains and Cheese
- 1 ½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and facilitate easy serving.
- Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is fully browned and the onion has softened, about 6 to 7 minutes. Add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning and cook for an additional minute to release their flavors. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Mix Ingredients: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, beef broth, uncooked rice, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and the thawed peas and carrots until everything is well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly for consistent cooking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes. This allows the rice to cook through and absorb the liquid.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top. Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for color and freshness, then serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute brown rice for white rice; if you do, increase baking time by 15 to 20 minutes and add extra broth as needed because brown rice takes longer to cook.
- For a spicy twist, stir in diced green chilies or replace cheddar cheese with pepper jack cheese before baking.
- This casserole is ideal for meal prepping as it reheats well, making it a great make-ahead dinner option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
