Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
A comforting and creamy casserole made with ground beef, tender rice, and cheese - perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef (85% lean) Browned and drained of extra fat.
- 1 cup Long grain white rice Can substitute jasmine or basmati rice.
- 1 medium Onion, chopped Optional, enhances flavor.
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced Optional, added towards the end of beef browning.
- 2 cups Beef or chicken broth Used for flavoring the rice.
- 1 cup Milk or cream For creaminess.
- 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded Plus additional for topping.
- 1 tsp Salt To taste.
- 1 tsp Black pepper To taste.
- 1 tsp Paprika For flavor.
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning Optional, for added flavor.
- 1 pinch Cayenne pepper Optional, for some warmth.
Optional Veggies
- 1 cup Frozen peas Can substitute with corn, chopped bell pepper, or spinach.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with chopped onion. Add garlic for the last 30 seconds. Drain extra fat.
- Stir in dry rice, seasonings, and broth. Let it warm for about 1 minute to mix well.
- Add milk and half of the shredded cheese. Stir until creamy.
- Pour mixture into the baking dish and cover tightly with foil.
Baking
- Bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the rice is tender.
- Remove foil, top with remaining cheese, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until melted and bubbly.
- Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Make sure the foil is tight to keep steam in for cooking. If it looks dry, add a splash of broth. For a browned top, broil for 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully.