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Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole: Easy One-Pan Dinner Recipe

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This cheesy ground beef rice casserole is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, hearty, and loaded with melty cheese, savory beef, and tender rice, all baked together in one pan. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a family-friendly meal that’s easy to customize and even better as leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (lean preferred)
  • 2 cups (340g) cooked rice (white or brown)
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz / 298g) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup (240g) sour cream
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (130g) frozen peas
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
  • Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23x33cm) casserole dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and ground beef. Break up the beef and cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is soft and fragrant.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup). Stir in cooked rice and the beef mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  5. Fold in frozen peas (and any additional veggies, if using).
  6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the surface.
  7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  8. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. For extra crispy edges, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  9. Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free cream soup or homemade sauce. Swap in different veggies or cheeses to customize. Day-old rice works best for texture. Let the casserole rest before slicing for cleaner servings. Leftovers reheat well and can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy casserole, ground beef, rice casserole, one-pan dinner, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, weeknight recipe, beef casserole, make-ahead

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/cheesy-ground-beef-rice-casserole-easy-one-pan-dinner-recipe/