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Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe

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3.8 from 27 reviews

This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make dish combining savory ground beef, tender rice, mushrooms, and creamy cheese. Made with pantry staples like cream of mushroom soup and beef broth, this casserole is perfect for a family-friendly meal that’s both satisfying and flavorful. The beef and rice are cooked together in one pot before being baked to melt the cheese to gooey perfection.

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Beef Mixture

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

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 3 Tablespoons butter, divided
  • ¾ cup onions, diced
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 8 oz. sliced button mushrooms, washed

Rice and Liquid

  • 2 ½ cups beef broth
  • 1 ¼ cups uncooked white long grain rice (not instant rice)

Creamy Components

  • 10.5 oz. cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ cup milk, any kind
  • ½ cup sour cream

Cheese

  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole later.
  2. Brown Ground Beef: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning as it cooks. Drain excess grease, then transfer the beef to a plate and cover to keep warm.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the same pot. Add diced onions and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute to release the fragrance.
  4. Cook Rice: Add the beef broth, remaining tablespoon of butter, and the uncooked rice to the pot. Stir to combine, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover tightly, and cook for 10 minutes.
  5. Add Mushrooms: After 10 minutes, add the sliced mushrooms to the pot. Replace the cover and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, following the rice package instructions for total cooking time. Do not stir during this process to prevent rice from becoming mushy.
  6. Let Rice Stand: Turn off the heat and keep the pot covered, allowing the rice to rest for 10 minutes. This resting period lets any rice stuck to the bottom loosen up.
  7. Mix Casserole Ingredients: Return the cooked ground beef to the pot along with the cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything together until well combined.
  8. Prepare for Baking: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Transfer the rice and beef mixture into the dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top.
  9. Bake: Cover the casserole dish with foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  10. Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and serve hot. Enjoy this creamy and cheesy meal with your family!

Notes

  • For best results, use long grain white rice and follow package liquid and cooking time instructions closely.
  • If you prefer, cook the rice separately and skip adding beef broth in the pot; use about 3¾ cups of cooked rice for the casserole.
  • You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup if desired.
  • Adjust seasonings to taste, especially salt and pepper, depending on the saltiness of the broth and soup.
  • The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; increase bake time slightly if baking from cold.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American