Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole – Experience the heartwarming delight of our Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole. This beloved American dish combines tender ground beef, spices, and the richness of cheese into a single mouthwatering bite. With an hour, in the kitchen, you can create a meal that embodies comfort and flavor—a choice for a family dinner or a comforting weekday indulgence.
The tale of this recipe began when I decided to treat my loved ones to a comforting dish. As I combined the ingredients, memories of laughter-filled kitchens came rushing back. I can still vividly recall the sparkle in my husband’s eyes and the joyful cheers from my children as they savored their first taste of this Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole. In that moment I knew I had stumbled upon a recipe that would become a favorite, among my family.
What makes this Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole truly special?
What sets this Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole apart is its blend of textures and flavors. The creamy mushroom soup adds velvety richness while the cheddar cheese brings forth a tanginess that perfectly complements the ground beef. This combination not only tantalizes your taste buds. Also warms your heart with every comforting spoonful.
What You Need To Make This Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole Recipe?
Ground Beef: For the ground beef it’s best to go with 85% lean. This balance of meat and fat ensures a tender texture. Adds rich flavor to the dish. The fat content plays a role, in creating a succulent result.
Italian Seasoning: To take the flavor profile up a notch add around 1.5 teaspoons of seasoning. This aromatic blend typically includes herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary creating a depth that you can taste in every bite.
Rice: When it comes to rice opt for long-grain rice for the perfect texture and flavor absorption. Unlike instant rice, this variety maintains its grains providing a delightful contrast within the casserole.
Cream of Mushroom Soup: Introduce a velvety richness and depth with a 10.5 oz. Can of cream of mushroom soup. This ingredient brings all the flavors together while enhancing the creaminess.
Cheese: Embrace the indulgence of melted cheese by adding 2 cups of cheddar cheese to your casserole. Cheddar’s sharpness beautifully complements the ingredients. Feel free to experiment with different cheese options for your own personal touch.
Sour Cream and Milk: For a touch of luxury and creaminess, in your dish combine half a cup each of cream and milk. This incredible duo perfectly balances the richness of the cheese and soup resulting in a fusion of flavors.
Mushrooms: A generous 8 ounces of sliced button mushrooms contribute an essence that beautifully complements the other ingredients. Their tender texture and delicate flavor provide a delight with every bite.
Onions and Garlic: With ¾ cup of onions and 1 tablespoon of garlic these ingredients lay the foundation, for the dish’s flavor. When sautéed they infuse the casserole with a warmth creating a backdrop for all the other components to shine.
Butter: The addition of 3 tablespoons of butter serves purposes from sautéing the onions and garlic to enriching the rice. This ingredient adds a touch of indulgence. Imparts a silky texture, to the final creation.
Beef Broth: To ensure each grain is infused with goodness we incorporate 2 ½ cups of beef broth which provides both moisture and depth to the rice. It plays a supporting role that elevates all the flavors.
Cheese Melt: While baking something magical happens as our cheese transforms into a gooey, layer that generously blankets our dish. This melty finish not only entices but also introduces an irresistibly cheesy element that brings pure satisfaction.
Steps To Make Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole:
Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: In a pot cook the ground beef, over high heat until it turns brown. Sprinkle in some salt, pepper, and the delightful aroma of seasonings as the beef transforms into a delight.
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Step 3: Once the beef is cooked, remove any grease transfer it to a plate, and cover it lovingly with foil.
Step 4: Return to the pot. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Soon as it starts to turn golden add onions and let them sauté for about 5 minutes until they become soft and translucent. Introduce minced garlic into the mix. Let its fragrance blend in for a minute.
Step 5: Now comes the time to infuse this dish with an explosion of flavors. Pour in some beef broth, and a touch of butter. Add rice. Stir this combination together to allow all the flavors to mingle gracefully.
Step 6: Allow this mixture to come to a boil before reducing the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot, with anticipation. Let it cook for 10 minutes so that rice can absorb all those essences.
Step 7: As excitement builds up gently introduce sliced button mushrooms into this ensemble. Let them gracefully join flavors in this symphony of tastes and cover the pot again. Let them cook for 5 to 10 minutes following the recommended cooking time mentioned on the rice package.
Step 8: With patience turn off the stove. Let the pot sit, covered, for 10 minutes. This is where the real magic happens, as any rice gently stuck to the bottom of the pot loosens up. Adds a texture.
Step 9: As everything comes together harmoniously bring back the ground beef into focus. Combine it with cream of mushroom soup, comforting milk, silky sour cream, and half of the cheddar cheese. Give it a stir to create a blend.
Step 10: Transfer this mixture to a greased 9×13 casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese, on top like a finale ensuring cheesy perfection.
Step 11: With a sense of satisfaction cover the casserole dish. Place it in the oven. Let it bake for 20 minutes to allow all flavors to meld together and form that golden melty cheese blanket.
Step 12: As you eagerly wait for your timer to go off get ready for applause presentation as you serve your Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole to your guests. Serve it with love and witness smiles, and contented sighs, after each delicious bite.
Tip:
To add a layer of depth and complexity to your Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole you might want to consider using cheddar cheese. Aged cheddar brings a more flavor profile, to the dish, which adds a wonderful contrast, to the creamy mushroom elements. Simply grate the cheddar. Sprinkle it on top before baking. As it melts it will release its nutty notes creating a captivating taste experience that takes the casserole to another level. This simple substitution can transform a comforting dish into a gourmet delight that is bound to impress both your family and guests.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use a different type of cheese for this recipe?
Sure! You have the freedom to choose a kind of cheese, for this recipe. While cheddar cheese brings a flavor you can also get creative. Try out other cheeses like mozzarella for a milder taste or pepper jack for some spiciness.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! It’s totally fine to prepare this casserole in advance. You can go ahead. Assemble everything up until the point of baking. Just make sure to cover it and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready simply follow the baking instructions adding a few minutes if necessary.
Can I substitute brown rice for white rice?
Definitely! If you prefer using brown rice instead of white rice go right ahead. Just keep in mind that brown rice may require more cooking time and more liquid compared to white rice. It’s always best to follow the instructions on the package, for best results.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef 85% lean
- 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt/Pepper
- 3 tbsp. butter divided
- ¾ c onions diced
- 1 tbsp. garlic minced
- 2 ½ c beef broth
- 1 ¼ c uncooked white long grain rice not instant rice
- 8 oz. sliced button mushrooms washed
- 10.5 oz. cream of mushroom soup
- ½ c milk any kind
- ½ c sour cream
- 2 c cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
- Start by browning 1 pound of ground beef in a pot while adding 1.5 teaspoons of seasoning, salt and pepper. Once browned drain the beef. Set it aside.
- Next melt 2 tablespoons of butter and sauté 3/4 cup of onions, along with 1 tablespoon of garlic.
- After that stir in 2 and a half cups of beef broth. Add 1 and a quarter cups of long-grain rice. Let the mixture simmer covered for 10 minutes.
- Once the rice has cooked for a bit add in 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms. Let everything simmer together for another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.
- Now it's time to mix in the ground beef along with one can (10.5 ounces) of cream of mushroom soup, half a cup each of milk and sour cream as well as one cup of cheddar cheese.
- Transfer this mixture into a greased baking dish measuring 9x13 inches. Finally top it off with another cup of cheddar cheese.
- Bake everything at a temperature of around 350°F for 20 minutes. Once done baking serve up this dish and enjoy!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
