Description

Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish with seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and a creamy sauce topped with gooey cheese, perfect for a family meal.

Ingredients

1 tbsp garlic, minced

1 pound ground beef, 85% lean

1.5 tsp Italian seasoning

3 tbsp butter, divided

¾ cup onions, diced

2 ½ cups beef broth

8 ounces sliced button mushrooms, washed

½ cup milk (any kind)

10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup

½ cup sour cream

2 cups cheddar cheese, divided

1 ¼ cups uncooked white long-grain rice (not instant rice)

Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning while it cooks.
Once the beef is browned, drain the excess grease and transfer the beef to a plate. Tent with foil to keep warm.
In the same pot, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add the diced onions and sauté for about 5 minutes, until tender.
Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
Pour in the beef broth, and add the butter and rice. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil.
Add the mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
Return the cooked beef to the pot and mix everything together.
Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Top the casserole with the remaining cheddar cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Notes

Add veggies like peas, carrots, or spinach for extra nutrition and flavor.
Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
For a spicy kick, add jalapeños or cayenne pepper.
This casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking. Add a few extra minutes if baking from cold.
For a lighter version, use ground turkey, reduced-fat cheese, and light cream of mushroom soup.
Freeze leftovers or assemble the casserole ahead of time for easy meals later.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 65mg