This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is the ultimate one-pan comfort food, perfect for any night of the week. It combines savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and tender mushrooms in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, all baked until golden and bubbly. It’s a foolproof, hearty meal that feels like a warm hug in a dish.
You’ll love this recipe because it delivers big on flavor without a ton of effort. Imagine savory ground beef and tender mushrooms mixed with fluffy rice, all coated in a rich, creamy sauce made from scratch no canned soups here. Then, it’s baked under a glorious blanket of melted cheddar until golden and bubbly. It’s a fantastic one-pan meal that comes together with basic pantry staples, making it perfect for any busy weeknight.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef, 85% lean
- 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 Tablespoons butter, divided
- ¾ cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 ¼ cups uncooked white long-grain rice (not instant rice)
- 8 oz. sliced button mushrooms, washed
- ½ cup milk, any kind
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
How to Make Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
This recipe comes together in a few simple steps, building flavor as you go.
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Sauté the Veggies
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large, oven-safe skillet, melt one tablespoon of butter. Add the ground beef, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat. Add the remaining butter, onions, garlic, and mushrooms, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
Pour the beef broth into the skillet, scraping the bottom to release flavorful bits. Stir in the uncooked rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce
Remove the skillet from the heat. Gently stir in the milk, sour cream, and one cup of the cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted and the mixture is creamy.
Step 4: Bake to Bubbly Perfection
Smooth the top of the mixture and sprinkle with the remaining one cup of cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
My Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Tips
These simple tricks will help you get the best results every time.
Grate Your Own Cheese
For the gooiest, creamiest casserole, take the extra two minutes to grate a block of cheddar. The difference is truly remarkable.
Ensure the Rice is Fully Cooked
The rice won’t cook much more in the oven, so make sure it’s tender before moving on to the final steps to guarantee a perfect texture.
Let the Casserole Rest
Letting the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after baking allows the sauce to set, making it much easier to serve.
Variations of This Delicious Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. For extra nutrients, you can stir in a cup of frozen peas, corn, or wilted spinach. To create a Tex-Mex twist, swap the Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, add black beans and corn, and use a Mexican cheese blend. Or, for a different flavor profile, substitute the sour cream and milk with a can of condensed tomato soup and a teaspoon of dried basil for a creamy tomato beef and rice bake.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble it up to 24 hours ahead. Let it cool, cover, and refrigerate. Just add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or a 350°F (175°C) oven until hot.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, it freezes well for up to 3 months, baked or unbaked. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
What can I substitute for the sour cream?
Full-fat plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute. It provides a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor.
Print
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
A warm hug in a dish! This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is the ultimate one-pan comfort food. Savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and tender mushrooms are baked in a rich, creamy, from-scratch cheese sauce until golden and bubbly. It’s a foolproof, hearty meal perfect for any busy weeknight.
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef, 85% lean
1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
3 Tablespoons butter, divided
¾ cup yellow onion, diced
1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
2½ cups beef broth
1¼ cups uncooked white long-grain rice (not instant rice)
8 oz. sliced button mushrooms, washed
½ cup milk, any kind
½ cup sour cream
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
Instructions
Brown the Beef and Sauté the Veggies
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large, oven-safe skillet, melt one tablespoon of butter. Add the ground beef, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat. Add the remaining butter, onions, garlic, and mushrooms, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
Cook the Rice
Pour the beef broth into the skillet, scraping the bottom to release flavorful bits. Stir in the uncooked rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
Create the Creamy Sauce
Remove the skillet from the heat. Gently stir in the milk, sour cream, and one cup of the cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted and the mixture is creamy.
Bake to Bubbly Perfection
Smooth the top of the mixture and sprinkle with the remaining one cup of cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Grate Your Own Cheese
For the best melt and creamiest texture, use a block of cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses often have anti-caking agents that can make the sauce gritty.
Ensure Rice is Cooked
Make sure the rice is tender after simmering, as it won’t cook much more in the oven. This is key to the final texture.
Let it Rest
Allowing the casserole to sit for 5-10 minutes after baking helps the sauce set, making it easier to serve.
Variations
For a Tex-Mex twist, swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning and use a Mexican cheese blend. You can also stir in a cup of frozen peas, corn, or wilted spinach for extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked, One-Pan
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6th of casserole)
- Calories: 685
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 980
- Fat: 39
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 46
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 36
- Cholesterol: 135
Keywords: ground beef casserole, cheesy rice casserole, one pan dinner, comfort food, weeknight meal, beef and rice bake, easy dinner recipe
