Description
Hearty ground beef and rice casserole delivers comfort with melted cheese and savory flavors that inspire home-cooked memories. Gather family around this simple, satisfying meal that brings warmth and deliciousness to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Vegetables:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Grains and Base:
- 1 cup uncooked white rice (or brown rice, adjusted for cook time)
- 1 ¾ cups beef broth
- 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup (or cream of cheddar)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces or 411 grams) diced tomatoes, drained
Cheese and Topping:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for crunch)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for breadcrumbs)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (for garnish)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch dish with a light layer of cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- In a robust skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking the meat into small crumbles until no pink remains, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Remove excess fat from the meat, then introduce finely chopped onions, allowing them to soften and become translucent.
- Infuse the meat mixture with minced garlic, aromatic paprika, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Incorporate uncooked rice directly into the seasoned meat mixture, creating a robust base for the casserole.
- Pour beef broth and condensed soup into the skillet, blending thoroughly to create a rich, creamy sauce that will permeate the entire dish.
- Gently fold in diced tomatoes, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the entire preparation to the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly to create a consistent layer.
- Seal the dish tightly with aluminum foil, creating a protective barrier that will help steam and cook the rice to perfection.
- Slide the covered casserole into a preheated oven set at 375°F, allowing it to bake for 35-45 minutes depending on rice variety.
- Remove foil and generously sprinkle a blend of shredded cheeses across the surface, creating a golden, melted topping.
- Optional: Combine breadcrumbs with melted butter to create a crispy, golden crust that adds textural contrast.
- Return the uncovered casserole to the oven for a final 10-minute bake, allowing the cheese to bubble and breadcrumbs to turn golden brown.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh herb flavor before serving this comforting one-dish meal.
Notes
- Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch, ensuring a fluffier and less sticky texture in the final dish.
- Select lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) to reduce grease and create a healthier version of the casserole without compromising flavor.
- Experiment with alternative proteins like ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for dietary preferences or restrictions.
- Toast rice briefly in the skillet with beef and spices before adding liquid to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent mushiness during baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg