Description
A comforting and flavorful Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole that is perfect for a family dinner. This easy recipe combines ground beef, rice, creamy soup, and melted cheddar cheese into a hearty casserole you can prepare in under an hour.
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 and prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the beef and onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the meat is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess fat to reduce grease.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Mix the sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, milk or beef broth, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth and combined.
- Assemble the casserole: In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked rice, beef and onion mixture, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the prepared sauce. Mix well to ensure even distribution of all ingredients.
- Add cheese topping and bake: Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top of the casserole. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Finish baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Optional crispy topping: For a crispy, browned cheese top, broil the casserole on high for 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve the casserole hot for a delicious family meal.
Notes
- This casserole is perfect for meal prepping and can be refrigerated and reheated for quick dinners throughout the week.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or cream of celery based on your preference.
- For a lighter option, use low-fat cheese and milk or broth.
- The paprika adds a subtle smoky flavor; you can adjust the amount or omit if preferred.
- If you prefer extra vegetables, consider adding diced bell peppers or peas to the beef mixture while cooking.
- To make this recipe gluten free, ensure your cream of mushroom soup is gluten free or use a homemade version.
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
