Description
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal packed with savory ground beef, hearty instant rice, mixed vegetables, and melted sharp cheddar cheese. This family favorite combines easy stovetop preparation and oven baking to deliver a warm, satisfying casserole perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Meat & Aromatics
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion, small diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Soup & Broth
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of celery soup
- 1 ½ cups beef stock
Spices
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Grains & Vegetables
- 1 cup instant rice
- 12 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
Dairy
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside to use later.
- 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 the beef into crumbles and cook, stirring often, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions have softened, approximately 10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then remove the pan from heat.
- Mix in Soups and Seasonings: Add the cream of celery soup, beef stock, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper to the beef mixture. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Add Rice and Vegetables: Stir in the instant rice and frozen mixed vegetables, mixing until evenly distributed. Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole. Cover the dish tightly with nonstick foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and cheese is fully melted.
- Broil for Browning: Remove the foil and place the casserole under the broiler briefly to lightly brown and crisp the cheese topping. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle dried or fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve warm and enjoy this comforting family favorite!
Notes
- Using instant rice cuts down on the overall cooking time and ensures the rice will cook perfectly in the casserole.
- Draining excess grease from the cooked ground beef prevents the casserole from becoming too greasy.
- To make this dish gluten-free, verify that the cream of celery soup and beef stock are gluten-free or use homemade/free-from brands.
- For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
