Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting, all-in-one meal that’s packed with savory flavors and melty cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines tender ground beef, mushrooms, and creamy ingredients baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef (85% lean)
• 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
• ¾ cup onions (diced)
• 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
• 2 ½ cups beef broth
• 1 ¼ cups uncooked white long grain rice (not instant rice)
• 8 oz. sliced button mushrooms (washed)
• 10.5 oz. cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup milk (any kind)
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 cups cheddar cheese (divided)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning as it cooks. Drain excess grease, transfer the beef to a plate, and cover with foil.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add diced onions and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook another minute.
3. Step 3: Add beef broth, remaining 1 tablespoon butter, and uncooked rice to the pot. Stir to combine, then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover tightly, and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add sliced mushrooms to the pot, replace the cover, and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes according to rice package instructions. Avoid stirring the rice during cooking.
5. Step 5: Turn off the heat and leave the pot covered for 10 minutes to let the rice finish cooking and release from the bottom.
6. Step 6: Return the cooked ground beef to the pot. Add cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir gently to combine everything evenly.
7. Step 7: Transfer the mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly on top.
8. Step 8: Cover the casserole dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, sauté the mushrooms separately to brown them before adding to the rice.
• You can swap cream of mushroom soup for cream of celery or chicken soup for a different twist.
• Use sharp cheddar for a more pronounced cheese flavor or mix cheddar with mozzarella for extra melty texture.
• If you prefer, cook rice separately according to package instructions and use about 3¾ cups cooked rice to simplify the process.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through or microwave individual portions, stirring halfway. This casserole doesn’t freeze well due to dairy ingredients.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of rice?

Yes, but keep in mind that cooking times and liquid amounts vary. Long grain white rice works best for this recipe, but you can try brown rice if you adjust the broth and cooking time accordingly.

Is there a way to make this casserole gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup or substitute with a homemade gluten-free sauce, and double-check the broth and seasoning labels to ensure they don’t contain gluten.

Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 145 reviews

• Author: Hailey
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting, flavorful one-dish meal perfect for family dinners. Browned ground beef is combined with sautéed onions, garlic, mushrooms, and tender rice cooked in beef broth, then mixed with creamy mushroom soup, sour cream, and plenty of cheddar cheese. Baked until bubbly and golden, this hearty casserole is simple to prepare and wonderfully satisfying.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Seasonings

• 1 lb. ground beef (85% lean)
• 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Vegetables and Aromatics

• ¾ cup onions, diced
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 8 oz. sliced button mushrooms, washed

Liquids and Dairy

• 2 ½ cups beef broth
• 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
• 10.5 oz. cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup milk (any kind)
• ½ cup sour cream

Grains and Cheese

• 1 ¼ cups uncooked white long grain rice (not instant rice)
• 2 cups cheddar cheese (divided)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the rice and ingredients: Check your rice package for the correct amount of beef broth and cooking time. This recipe cooks rice directly in the pot with broth. If preferred, cook rice separately to yield 3 ¾ cups cooked rice and adjust as needed.
2. Preheat oven: Set your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
3. Brown the ground beef: In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess grease.
4. Remove beef and sauté aromatics: Transfer the cooked beef to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and cook diced onions for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for one additional minute.
5. Cook rice in broth: Add the beef broth, the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, and uncooked rice to the pot. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover tightly and cook undisturbed for 10 minutes.
6. Add mushrooms and continue cooking: Stir in the sliced mushrooms, replace the lid, and continue cooking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or according to your rice package instructions. Avoid stirring throughout cooking.
7. Let rice stand: Turn off the heat and keep the pot covered. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the rice to finish steaming and any stuck bottom rice to release.
8. Combine all casserole ingredients: Return the cooked ground beef to the pot along with cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir everything thoroughly to combine.
9. Transfer and bake: Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the dish with foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
10. Serve: Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then serve your warm, cheesy ground beef and rice casserole. Enjoy!

Notes

• Do not stir the rice during cooking to ensure proper texture and avoid mushiness.
• If preferred, rice can be cooked separately according to package instructions; just be sure to have 3 ¾ cups cooked rice for the casserole.
• For a lighter option, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheese.
• Additional vegetables like bell peppers or peas can be added when mixing the casserole ingredients.
• Leftovers store well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: ground beef casserole, cheesy rice casserole, one-pot meal, comfort food, mushroom soup casserole, easy dinner