Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

Forget fleeting culinary trends; some cravings run deep, anchoring us to the heart of home-style goodness. Enter Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole, a dish that’s less a recipe and more a warm, comforting embrace in a baking dish. This isn’t just a casserole; it’s a symphony of satisfying textures and familiar flavors, where savory ground beef dances with fluffy rice in a creamy, cheesy embrace, baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Imagine the comforting aroma filling your kitchen – a tantalizing blend of seasoned beef, melting cheese, and fragrant rice, promising a taste experience that is both deeply satisfying and utterly craveable. Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is more than just dinner; it’s a culinary cornerstone, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that transforms any ordinary evening into a cozy, comforting occasion. Prepare to be utterly seduced by its cheesy, beefy charm – your casserole love affair starts now, with this incredibly easy and customizable recipe that promises to become a new family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Ultimate Comfort Food, Elevated

Craving pure, unadulterated comfort? Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole delivers, offering a warm, satisfying hug in every bite. It’s comfort food at its finest, simple yet deeply satisfying.

One-Dish Wonder, Minimal Fuss

Weeknight dinners just got easier. This casserole is a one-dish dream, minimizing cleanup while maximizing flavor. Effortless cooking, maximum reward.

Crowd-Pleasing, Family Favorite

From picky eaters to discerning palates, this casserole is a guaranteed hit. It’s a family-friendly classic that everyone will adore, making mealtime a joy.

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Ingredients

Gathering the Culinary Treasures for Your Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

To embark on your culinary adventure and create Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole, assemble these readily available and permissible ingredients, each carefully selected to contribute to the comforting flavors and satisfying textures of this classic and beloved dish:

For the Savory and Flavor-Packed Beef and Rice Base:

• 1.25 lbs Ground Beef: Ground beef, the heart of this comforting casserole, provides a robust and flavorful protein base, offering a satisfying heartiness that perfectly complements the fluffy rice and creamy cheese sauce, creating a truly substantial and fulfilling meal. Opt for ground beef with an 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio for optimal flavor and texture without excessive greasiness.
• 1 tablespoon Permissible Olive Oil: Permissible olive oil, with its fruity aroma and savory flavor, serves as the cooking medium for browning the ground beef and sautéing the aromatic vegetables, adding a subtle richness and preventing sticking without overpowering the other flavors. Vegetable oil or canola oil are excellent permissible alternatives.
• 1 Large Yellow Onion, diced: Yellow onion, with its balanced flavor that sweetens as it cooks, forms the aromatic foundation of the casserole, contributing a foundational savory note and enhancing the overall depth of flavor. Dicing it ensures it cooks down seamlessly into the casserole. White onion can be used as a permissible substitute for a slightly sharper flavor.
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced: Fresh garlic, the aromatic powerhouse, infuses the casserole with its signature pungent and savory depth, creating a foundational layer of flavor that awakens the palate and complements the beef and vegetables beautifully. Mincing the garlic finely ensures maximum flavor release and even distribution throughout the casserole.  
• 1 cup Uncooked Long Grain Rice: Uncooked long grain rice, forming the hearty carbohydrate base of the casserole, provides a fluffy and satisfying texture that perfectly absorbs the flavorful sauce and complements the savory beef and cheese, creating a balanced and fulfilling meal. Basmati or Jasmine rice can be used as permissible alternatives for slightly different flavor nuances.
• 2 cups Permissible Beef Broth: Permissible beef broth, forming the liquid base for cooking the rice and creating a flavorful sauce, provides a savory depth and rich beef flavor that enhances the overall taste profile of the dish, creating a comforting and flavorful casserole. Low-sodium beef broth is recommended to control the final salt level.
• 1 (10.75 oz) can Permissible Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: Permissible condensed cream of mushroom soup, adding a creamy richness and umami depth to the sauce, contributes a velvety texture and enhances the savory flavor profile of the casserole, creating a comforting and classic creaminess. Permissible cream of celery or cream of chicken soup can be used as permissible alternatives for slightly different flavor notes.
• 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano: Dried oregano, with its robust and slightly peppery flavor, adds a classic Italian-American herb note that is essential for casserole flavor, complementing the beef and creamy sauce beautifully and contributing a familiar and comforting aromatic element. Dried basil or Italian seasoning blend can be used as permissible alternatives.  
• ¾ teaspoon Sea Salt: Sea salt, essential for seasoning, is crucial for enhancing the flavors of all the ingredients and bringing out the savory depth of the beef and rice, ensuring a well-balanced and delicious casserole. Adjust the amount to your personal taste preference, seasoning throughout the cooking process.
• ½ teaspoon Black Pepper: Black pepper, adding a subtle warmth and a gentle peppery bite, provides a foundational seasoning element that complements the rich casserole without overpowering, offering a familiar and balanced pepper note. White pepper can be substituted for a milder pepper flavor.

For the Irresistibly Cheesy Casserole Topping:

• 2 cups Permissible Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Permissible shredded cheddar cheese, providing the quintessential cheesy melt and sharp, savory flavor, is essential for creating the golden, bubbly cheese topping of the casserole. It melts beautifully and offers a familiar and comforting cheese flavor that complements the beef and rice perfectly. Permissible Monterey Jack cheese or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack can be used as alternatives for different flavor profiles.

How to Make Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole?

Step-by-Step to Cheesy Casserole Perfection

Creating a comforting and flavorful Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a straightforward culinary process, easily accomplished by following these clear and concise steps, designed to maximize cheesy goodness and savory beef flavor with minimal effort for a perfect family meal:

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef and Sauté Aromatics for Flavorful Base:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving of the casserole. Heat permissible olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, indicating it’s ready for cooking. Add ground beef to the hot skillet and break it apart into smaller crumbles using a spoon or spatula. Cook the beef, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and no longer pink, allowing it to develop a rich, savory flavor that forms the base of the casserole. Ensure the beef is thoroughly browned for optimal flavor. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet after browning the beef, ensuring a less greasy and more flavorful casserole. Removing excess fat prevents the casserole from becoming oily. Return the browned beef to the skillet. Add diced yellow onion to the skillet with the browned beef and sauté over medium heat for approximately 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, releasing its fragrant aromas and creating a flavorful vegetable base for the casserole. Sautéing the onion until softened enhances its natural sweetness and improves the overall texture of the casserole. Add minced garlic to the skillet with the softened onion and sauté for another minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant, infusing the vegetable base with its pungent and savory notes. Be careful not to burn the garlic; sautéing it briefly until fragrant is key to maximizing its flavor without bitterness.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients and Build the Casserole:

Add uncooked long grain rice, permissible beef broth, and permissible condensed cream of mushroom soup to the skillet with the browned beef and sautéed vegetables, combining all ingredients and creating the flavorful casserole base. Stir in dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper, distributing the spices evenly and ensuring a well-balanced flavor profile. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the rice is mostly submerged in the liquid and the sauce begins to thicken slightly, indicating the rice is starting to cook and absorb the liquid. Simmering the mixture helps to partially cook the rice and allows the flavors to meld together before baking.

Step 3: Bake to Golden, Bubbly Cheese Perfection:

Pour the beef and rice mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out to create an even layer for baking. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole, creating a generous cheese topping that will melt and brown beautifully during baking, adding a rich and cheesy crust to the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges, the rice is cooked through and tender, and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown, indicating the casserole is cooked through and ready to serve. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven; check for doneness by inserting a fork into the center of the casserole to ensure the rice is tender and the casserole is heated through. Let the Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole cool slightly for 5-10 minutes before serving, allowing the casserole to set slightly and cool to a more comfortable serving temperature. Cooling slightly also prevents burning your mouth on the hot cheese and filling.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy Your Cheesy Casserole Masterpiece:

Serve Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole hot, directly from the baking dish, allowing everyone to enjoy the warm, cheesy, and savory goodness of this comforting family meal. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chopped chives, if desired, for a final touch of visual appeal and fresh flavor. Encourage everyone to savor each cheesy, beefy bite of their homemade casserole perfection!

Tips for Variations

Spicy Southwestern Beef and Rice Casserole

Add a Southwestern kick and smoky heat to your Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole with chili spices and peppers. Add 1 tablespoon of chili powder and ½ teaspoon of cumin powder to the beef filling in Step 2 along with the oregano. Stir in 1 (4 oz) can of diced green chilies (drained) or 1-2 chopped permissible chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for extra heat. Top the casserole with permissible pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar cheese for a spicier and more Southwestern-inspired flavor profile.

Vegetable-Packed Beef and Rice Casserole

Boost the vegetable content and add extra flavor and texture to your casserole by incorporating more vegetables. Sauté diced bell peppers (any color), sliced carrots, or frozen peas along with the onions in Step 1. These vegetables will add extra flavor, texture, and nutritional value to the casserole, creating a more vegetable-rich and balanced meal.

Creamy Tomato Beef and Rice Casserole

Introduce a creamy tomato element and Italian-inspired flavor to your Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole by using cream of tomato soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Substitute the condensed cream of mushroom soup with 1 (10.75 oz) can of permissible condensed cream of tomato soup in Step 2. This variation will create a tangier, tomato-based sauce that complements the beef and cheese beautifully, offering a different but equally delicious flavor profile.

FAQ

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Question: Could I substitute brown rice for the white long grain rice in Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole for a whole grain option?

Answer: Yes, you can use brown rice, but you will need to increase the cooking time and liquid. Brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice. Increase the beef broth to 2.5 cups and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until the brown rice is tender.  

How do I prevent the casserole from drying out?

Question: What are some tips to prevent Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole from becoming dry during baking, and ensure it remains moist and saucy?

Answer: Ensure there is enough liquid (beef broth and condensed soup) to cook the rice properly. Do not overbake the casserole. Bake until the rice is tender and the cheese is melted and golden brown, but not dried out. If the casserole seems to be browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

Can I add extra cheese to this casserole?

Question: Is it possible to add even more cheese to Best Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole? What are some other cheeses that would be delicious in this dish?

Answer: Absolutely! Feel free to add extra cheese to the casserole. You can stir shredded cheese into the beef and rice mixture before baking, or add an extra layer of cheese on top. Other delicious cheese options include Monterey Jack, provolone, Colby Jack, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella.

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