Description
A comforting and hearty casserole dish featuring lean ground beef, cooked rice, and a creamy cheese sauce baked to golden perfection. This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying 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 Oven: Preheat your 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 beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful 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 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 prepared sauce. Mix everything together evenly.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar 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 continue baking for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Optional Broil: For a crispy cheese topping, broil the casserole for 2 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve the casserole hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat.
- Substitute cream of chicken soup if preferred or for a different flavor.
- Cook rice ahead of time or use leftover rice to save preparation time.
- For a richer sauce, use whole milk instead of broth or low-fat milk.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil during baking to prevent the casserole from drying out.
- Broil cautiously for a crispy top, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
