Description
A comforting and easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, and melted cheddar cheese, perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Units
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 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the meat is fully browned and the onion has softened. Drain the excess fat to keep the casserole from being greasy.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 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 the Casserole: In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked rice, ground beef mixture, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the sauce. Mix thoroughly to distribute all ingredients evenly.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 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 bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Optional Broil: For a crispy cheese topping, broil the casserole for 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve the casserole hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom soup if preferred.
- If you want a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cheese and beef broth instead of milk.
- Cook the rice ahead of time or use leftover rice to save prep time.
- Covering with foil during baking keeps the casserole moist and prevents the cheese from burning.
- Broiling is optional but adds a delicious golden crisp to the cheese topping.
- Leftovers store well and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
