Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting, one-pan meal that’s perfect for family dinners. Loaded with savory ground beef, tender rice, and melty cheddar cheese, this hearty dish is easy to prepare and sure to satisfy everyone at the table. With just a handful of ingredients and simple steps, it’s a meal everyone will love!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray or oil (for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Combine the Ingredients: Stir in the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes (with their juice), beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Transfer to the Baking Dish: Pour the beef and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven and carefully remove the foil. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you want a spicier kick, consider adding some red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- You can easily substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef if you prefer a lighter option.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days, and the casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of the casserole
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: cheesy ground beef casserole, rice casserole recipe, easy dinner idea, family-friendly meal, comfort food, cheesy casserole, beef and rice dish