Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal perfect for family dinners. It combines savory ground beef, creamy soup, flavorful spices, mixed vegetables, and melted sharp cheddar cheese baked to perfection. Simple to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion, small diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
Liquids & Dairy
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of celery soup
- 1 ½ cups beef stock
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Grains & Seasonings
- 1 cup instant rice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: In a dutch oven or large deep skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced sweet onion. Break up the beef with a spoon and cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is browned and no pink remains and the onions are softened, about 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Mix in Soup and Seasonings: Add the cream of celery soup, beef stock, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Combine Rice and Vegetables: Stir in the instant rice and frozen mixed vegetables until everything is well incorporated. Transfer this mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Top with Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top and cover the dish with nonstick foil. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
- Broil for a Golden Top: Remove the foil and place the casserole under the broiler for a few minutes to lightly brown the cheese, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Optionally garnish with dried or fresh parsley and serve hot for a delicious family meal.
Notes
- Use instant rice for faster cooking and convenience. Regular rice will require pre-cooking and adjusting liquid amounts.
- Drain excess fat after browning the beef to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- If you prefer a different flavor, swap cream of celery soup with cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup.
- Vegetables can be substituted with fresh or other frozen mixes according to preference.
- Broiling should be done cautiously as cheese can burn quickly under high heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
