Description
Hearty Cheesy Ranch Ground Beef and Rice Casserole combines classic comfort ingredients for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Savory beef, creamy ranch, and melted cheese create a delicious one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (453 g) ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, setting the stage for a comforting meal.
- Meat Foundation: In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onions over medium heat, incorporating garlic until fragrant. Drain excess fat to ensure a clean, rich base.
- Flavor Fusion: Combine uncooked rice, beef broth, mushroom soup, sour cream, Italian seasoning, and half the cheese in the skillet. Mix thoroughly, seasoning with salt and pepper to amplify taste dimensions.
- Baking Ritual: Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 40-45 minutes until rice reaches perfect tenderness and liquid is absorbed.
- Cheese Finale: Uncover the casserole, sprinkle remaining cheese over the top, and return to oven for 5-10 minutes until cheese transforms into a molten, golden blanket.
- Presentation: Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions, then serve immediately to capture the dish’s ultimate flavor and textural harmony.
Notes
Manage Meat Moisture: Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease, ensuring a crisp and flavorful casserole without soggy texture.
Customize Rice Consistency: Choose long-grain rice for better separation and prevent clumping; parboiled rice works exceptionally well for maintaining ideal texture during baking.
Enhance Flavor Depth: Experiment with ranch seasoning variations or add smoked paprika for a more complex taste profile that elevates the traditional recipe’s appeal.
Dietary Adaptations: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option, use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup, and opt for low-fat cheese to accommodate different nutritional needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg