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