Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty cheesy ground beef and rice casserole, blending savory flavors with creamy textures. Simple ingredients create a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your dinner table and delights hungry families with its cheesy, comforting embrace.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Dairy and Liquids:
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Seasoning and Vegetables:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for the casserole assembly.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces until no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat from the meat mixture to ensure a lighter, less greasy casserole.
- Stir in cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream, creating a creamy base that will bind the casserole ingredients together.
- Incorporate the cooked white rice into the beef mixture, ensuring even distribution of all components.
- Season the mixture with salt and black pepper, mixing thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Transfer half of the beef and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it in an even layer.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese over the first layer of the casserole.
- Add the remaining beef and rice mixture on top of the cheese layer, creating a second distinct layer.
- Top the casserole with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, covering the entire surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling with a golden-brown surface.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to allow the layers to set.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving, adding a bright, fresh element to the rich dish.
Notes
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent a soggy casserole and keep the dish’s texture light and appealing.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like Monterey Jack or Swiss for unique flavor profiles and added depth.
- Use brown rice or cauliflower rice as healthier alternatives to white rice, boosting nutritional value without compromising taste.
- Make this dish gluten-free by selecting gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and checking ingredient labels carefully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg