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Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 41 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal perfect for family dinners. Combining tender ground beef, long grain white rice, carrots, and a creamy mushroom sauce, it’s topped with a generous layer of melted cheddar or Colby Jack cheese, baked to golden perfection. The recipe includes three variations: a quick version using cream of mushroom soup, a semi-homemade method incorporating mushroom gravy, and a from-scratch option with a rich mushroom cream sauce.

Ingredients

Quick Recipe

  • 1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • 1 Cup Long Grain White Rice (uncooked)
  • 2 Cups Water
  • 1 Cup Carrots (sliced)
  • 1/2 to 1 Pound Ground Beef (cooked)
  • Cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese (sliced, about 9 slices)

Semi-Homemade Recipe

  • 1 Cup Long Grain White Rice (uncooked)
  • 2 Cups Water
  • 1 Cup Carrots (sliced)
  • 1/2 to 1 Pound Ground Beef (cooked)
  • 13.9 ounces Pacific Foods Mushroom Gravy
  • 1/2 Cup Milk
  • Colby Jack or Medium Cheddar Cheese (for topping, about 9 slices)

From Scratch Mushroom Cream Sauce

  • 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • 1/4 Cup Onion (minced)
  • 1 Clove Garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 Cup White Button Mushrooms (minced)
  • 3 Tablespoons Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Cream
  • 1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • Salt (to taste)
  • 1 Cup Long Grain White Rice (uncooked)
  • 2 Cups Water
  • 1 Cup Carrots (sliced)
  • 1/2 to 1 Pound Ground Beef (cooked)
  • Cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese (sliced, about 9 slices)

Instructions

  1. Quick Recipe Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray an 8×9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. In a large bowl, stir together the cream of mushroom soup, uncooked rice, water, sliced carrots, and cooked ground beef until well combined. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  2. Bake the Casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 90 minutes, allowing the rice to cook fully and absorb the liquid.
  3. Add Cheese Topping: After baking, arrange cheese slices evenly over the casserole and return it to the oven. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
  4. Semi-Homemade Variation: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×9-inch baking dish. In a bowl, whisk together water, mushroom gravy, and milk until smooth. Add the uncooked rice, cooked ground beef, and sliced carrots, stirring to combine. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and bake uncovered for 90 minutes.
  5. Cheese Finish for Semi-Homemade: Place cheese slices atop the casserole and return to the oven for a few more minutes until the cheese melts.
  6. From Scratch Mushroom Cream Sauce: In a medium pan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add minced onion, garlic, and mushrooms; cook while stirring until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
  7. Make the Roux: Sprinkle flour over the sautéed vegetables and whisk continuously for 30 to 60 seconds to cook out the raw flour taste.
  8. Add Cream and Broth: Gradually whisk in the cream and chicken broth, cooking until the mixture thickens to a creamy sauce consistency. Season with black pepper and salt to taste, then remove from heat.
  9. Assemble Casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray an 8×9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Combine the cream sauce, uncooked rice, water, cooked ground beef, and sliced carrots in the baking dish, stirring to mix evenly.
  10. Bake and Add Cheese: Bake uncovered for 90 minutes. Afterward, top with cheese slices and bake for a few more minutes until melted and bubbly.

Notes

  • Use measured rice quantities carefully and do not rinse rice to maintain proper starch for cooking.
  • Adjust ground beef quantity from 1/2 to 1 pound according to preference for meatiness.
  • Covering the casserole during baking is not recommended to allow rice to absorb liquid effectively and develop a slight crust.
  • Cheese slices can be substituted with shredded cheese if preferred; adjust quantity accordingly.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives and replace chicken broth with vegetable broth.
  • Ensure to cook ground beef thoroughly before adding to the casserole mixture.
  • Delicate mushrooms in the from-scratch sauce add depth but can be omitted if unavailable.

Find it online: https://dishmelt.com/cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-casserole-recipe/