Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting, creamy, and flavorful one-dish meal perfect for family dinners or meal prepping. Packed with lean ground beef, tender rice, and gooey melted cheddar cheese, it combines pantry staples into a hearty casserole that even picky eaters will love. Easy to prepare and baked to perfection with a crispy golden cheese topping, this recipe offers a satisfying blend of textures and flavors in every bite.
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). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown 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 tender. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant to enhance the flavor.
- Prepare Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk or beef broth, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth to create a creamy sauce.
- 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 to ensure even distribution.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil carefully and bake for an additional 10 minutes 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
- This casserole is great for meal prepping and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- You can substitute cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom if preferred or to accommodate taste.
- Use beef broth instead of milk for a lighter sauce or if you are avoiding dairy.
- For a lower fat option, use reduced-fat cheddar cheese and lean ground beef or turkey.
- The paprika adds a mild smoky flavor, but you can adjust or omit it based on your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 184 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 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
