Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for family dinners. It combines savory ground beef, tender rice, mixed vegetables, and melted cheddar cheese baked to perfection, resulting in a creamy, flavorful casserole that’s easy to make and sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat if necessary to reduce greasiness.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until the onions are softened and fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the uncooked rice, beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly combine all the ingredients.
- Add Vegetables and Cheese: Fold in the frozen peas and carrots along with 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the mixture evenly inside. Cover the dish tightly with foil to retain moisture during baking.
- Bake Covered: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake covered for 45 minutes, allowing the rice to cook through and flavors to meld.
- Top with Cheese and Bake Uncovered: Carefully remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set and make serving easier.
Notes
- You can substitute brown rice for a healthier option; however, increase the baking time by 15–20 minutes and add extra broth if needed to ensure the rice is fully cooked.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Enhance the flavor by adding a dash of hot sauce or some diced green chilies for a bit of heat.
