Description
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole delivers a hearty, one‑pan comfort meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender smoked beef, fluffy rice, and a velvety cheese sauce combine for a satisfying bite. This easy recipe uses pantry staples like beef broth, milk, and shredded cheese, making it quick to assemble and bake. Ideal for families, it offers a rich, creamy texture with a hint of spice from garlic and paprika, perfect for sharing and freezer‑friendly leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat; drain excess fat.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic; cook until softened.
- Stir in rice, beef broth, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, until rice is tender.
- Stir in milk and half of the shredded cheese until melted.
- Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish; top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20‑25 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
Notes
- For extra color
- add frozen peas and carrots during the last five minutes of simmering. Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving for easier slicing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole, easy beef casserole, rice casserole recipe, quick dinner ideas, comfort food casserole, cheesy beef bake, one pan meals, family dinner recipes, budget-friendly meals