Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice (Printer-Friendly)
Seasoned beef, rice, and melted cheese baked together for a comforting family meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 ratio preferred
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
→ Rice & Grains
05 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
→ Dairy
06 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
07 - 1/2 cup sour cream
08 - 1 1/2 cups whole milk
→ Pantry
09 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 1 tsp kosher salt
12 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
15 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking apart with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
04 - Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes to thaw slightly.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Add uncooked rice, 1 cup cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper if using. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
06 - Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish, spreading into a uniform layer.
07 - Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 35 minutes.
08 - Remove foil and sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese over the top. Return to oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan before hitting the oven, meaning almost zero cleanup
- The rice absorbs all those beefy, cheesy flavors while it bakes
- Leftovers reheat beautifully and somehow taste even better the next day
02 -
- The foil seal matters, so press it tight against the dish to trap steam for the rice
- If you want to use brown rice, add 1/4 cup more liquid and bake 10 minutes longer
- The casserole might look slightly jiggly when you first remove the foil, but it will set as it rests
03 -
- Shred your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre-shredded, it melts so much better
- Let the beef mixture cool slightly before mixing in the sour cream so it does not separate