Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—layered with tender rice, savory ground beef, and melted cheddar cheese. It’s a quick, budget-friendly family dinner perfect for meal prep, cozy nights, or busy weeknights. Discover why this cheesy rice and beef bake is one of the best easy casseroles for hearty home-style meals.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
2 cups cooked white rice
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 cup beef broth
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
3. Add garlic and ground beef. Cook until beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it apart. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika if using.
4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and beef broth until smooth.
5. Spread the cooked rice evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.
6. Top rice with the ground beef mixture, spreading it evenly.
7. Pour the soup and broth mixture over the casserole, gently smoothing to coat.
8. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
10. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
11. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra creaminess, stir 1/4 cup sour cream into the soup mixture before layering.
Use pre-cooked rice to save time, or use leftover rice from a previous meal.
Add frozen peas, corn, or diced bell peppers to boost the veggie content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 80mg