Description
Hearty ground beef rice casserole merges comforting flavors from classic American kitchens with simple, satisfying ingredients. Cheesy layers and savory seasoning create a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein and Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (85% or 90% lean)
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Base and Other Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) butter
- 0.75 cup (180 milliliters) onions (chopped, about 1 small)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh garlic (chopped fine)
- 2.5 cups (595 milliliters) beef broth
- 1.25 cups (300 milliliters) uncooked white rice (long grain)
- 8 ounces (227 grams) package sliced button mushrooms (or baby bellas)
- 10 ounces (283 grams) cream of mushroom soup substitute
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) medium cheddar cheese (shredded)
- Cooking spray or 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) oil to grease skillet
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, seasoning with salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and garlic powder. Break up the meat while cooking, then transfer to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté chopped onions until softened. Add minced garlic and cook briefly until aromatic.
- Introduce mushrooms to the skillet with additional butter, cooking until they release moisture and develop a rich brown color.
- Reunite the cooked beef with mushrooms and onions in the skillet. Pour in beef broth, add uncooked rice, and simmer covered for 10 minutes to partially cook the rice.
- Whisk together cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream in a separate bowl to create a creamy sauce.
- Blend the creamy mixture into the beef and rice, ensuring even distribution throughout the skillet.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle half the cheddar cheese over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, allowing the rice to cook thoroughly.
- Uncover the casserole, add remaining cheese, and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving, which helps it set and makes portioning easier.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, leaner protein option that keeps the dish’s hearty texture.
- Boost vegetable content by adding diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach during the sautéing stage to increase nutritional value and create more complex flavors.
- Use brown rice instead of white rice for added fiber and nutrients, though cooking time might need slight adjustment to ensure proper rice tenderness.
- Consider gluten-free alternatives like cornstarch or gluten-free cream of mushroom soup to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg