Name: Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound Ground Beef (lean or substitute with ground turkey); 1 medium Onion (diced, yellow or white); 2 cloves Garlic (minced, or 1/2 tsp garlic powder); 2 cups Cooked White Rice (preferably leftover rice); 10.5 ounces Cream of Mushroom Soup (or cream of chicken); 1 cup Milk or Beef Broth (for thinning the soup); 2 cups Cheddar Cheese (shredded, freshly grated for best melting); 1 teaspoon Paprika (smoked paprika optional for a twist); Salt (to taste); Pepper (to taste); 1/4 cup Chopped Parsley (optional, for garnish)

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (lean ground beef or ground turkey)

1 medium onion, diced (yellow or white)

2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)

2 cups cooked white rice (leftover rice preferred)

10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)

1 cup milk or beef broth (to thin the soup)

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (freshly grated for best melting)

1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika for a twist)

Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste

1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and diced onion for about 5–7 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and the onion is softened.

Step 3: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk or beef broth, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 5: In the greased baking dish, combine the cooked rice, the beef and onion mixture, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the soup sauce. Stir until everything is well mixed.

Step 6: Spread the remaining cheddar cheese evenly on top of the casserole. Cover the dish with foil.

Step 7: Bake covered for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.

Step 8: Optional: For a crispy cheese topping, broil the casserole for 1–2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Step 9: Let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and enjoy hot.

Tips & Variations

Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter version.

Swap cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup for different flavors.

Add chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture for extra nutrition.

Leftover cooked rice works best to avoid a mushy casserole.

Try smoked paprika for a subtle smoky flavor that enhances the dish.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in a 350°F oven until heated through. This casserole also freezes well—freeze in a suitable container for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, you can substitute brown rice, but cooking times may vary slightly. Make sure the rice is fully cooked before mixing it into the casserole.

Is it necessary to cover the dish with foil while baking?

Covering with foil helps prevent the cheese from over-browning while allowing the casserole to heat evenly. Removing the foil near the end ensures a nicely melted and bubbly cheese topping.