Description
Hearty ranch ground beef and rice casserole delivers comfort with bold southwestern flavors and creamy cheese goodness. Packed with satisfying ingredients, this simple one-dish meal brings family and friends together for a delightful dinner experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) lean ground beef
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
Dairy and Cheese:
- 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 10.5 ounces (10.5 oz) condensed cheddar soup
Base and Seasonings:
- 1 cup instant rice
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 ounce (1 oz) ranch dressing mix
- 1 1/4 cups chopped green onions
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden and crisp, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon.
- In the same skillet, brown ground beef, breaking it into crumbles while cooking. Drain excess fat.
- Add minced garlic to the beef and sauté for 2-3 minutes, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Remove skillet from heat and incorporate instant rice, ensuring even distribution.
- Blend condensed cheddar soup, milk, and ranch dressing mix into the beef and rice mixture.
- Fold in one cup of shredded cheese, one cup of chopped green onions, and two-thirds of the cooked bacon pieces.
- Transfer the combined mixture to a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 40 minutes.
- Remove foil, then top with remaining cheese and bacon pieces.
- Return to oven and bake uncovered until cheese melts and casserole becomes bubbly, approximately 5-10 minutes.
- Allow casserole to rest briefly before garnishing with remaining green onions.
- Serve hot and enjoy the rich, creamy, and savory flavors.
Notes
- Bacon Swap: Use turkey bacon or plant-based bacon alternatives for a lighter version with reduced fat content.
- Rice Flexibility: Substitute instant rice with brown rice or quinoa for added nutrition and different texture.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace cheese and condensed soup with cashew-based cheese and dairy-free cream soup to create a lactose-free option.
- Spice Boost: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for extra heat and flavor complexity in the casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 487
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 949 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg