Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, blending savory ground beef, fluffy rice, vibrant vegetables, and gooey melted cheese into a hearty, family-friendly meal. It’s easy to prepare, can be made ahead of time, and is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra cheese for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary, then add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
- Combine Casserole Ingredients: Stir the uncooked rice into the skillet with the beef mixture. Add the drained diced tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer half of the beef and rice mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Add the remaining beef and rice mixture, then top with the remaining cup of cheese.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with chopped fresh parsley or extra cheese if desired. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef for a lighter version.
- Switch up the vegetables by adding corn, peas, or mushrooms.
- The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
- For extra spice, add a dash of cayenne pepper or use pepper jack cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
