Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole Recipe

Comfort food is a culinary embrace, wrapping you in memories of home-cooked meals and family gatherings. You'll want to master this cheesy ground beef and rice casserole that transforms humble ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dinner. If you've ever craved a simple, satisfying meal that comes together faster than you can order takeout, you're in the right place. Get ready to learn a recipe that'll become your new weeknight warrior.

Recipe Highlights

• A classic ground beef and rice casserole combines browned beef, cooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, and shredded cheddar cheese in a simple, hearty dish.
• Prepare the casserole by browning 1 pound of ground beef, mixing with 2 cups cooked rice and soup, then topping with cheese before baking at 350°F.
• The total cooking time is approximately 45-50 minutes, including preparation and baking, making it a quick and convenient family meal option.
• Optional ingredients like frozen vegetables, different cheese types, and seasonings allow for easy customization of the basic recipe to suit individual tastes.
• This budget-friendly casserole serves multiple people, freezes well for meal prep, and can be paired with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

History

While casseroles have been a staple of American home cooking for generations, the ground beef and rice casserole represents a mid-20th century culinary innovation that reflected both economic practicality and the rise of convenience foods.

You'll find its roots deeply embedded in post-World War II home economics, when busy families sought quick, nutritious meals using affordable ingredients. Canned soups and pre-packaged rice became kitchen staples, enabling home cooks to transform simple components into hearty dishes.

This casserole emerged during a time when:

• Convenience was paramount
• Ingredient costs were critical
• Meal preparation needed to be efficient

The recipe symbolized resourcefulness, blending protein, grains, and dairy into a single, satisfying dish that could feed multiple mouths without complex techniques or expensive components.

Recipe

A hearty and comforting meal that brings families together around the dinner table, this ground beef and rice casserole is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution. Packed with savory ground beef, tender rice, and gooey melted cheese, it transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying main course that everyone will love.

This budget-friendly recipe isn't just delicious but also incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a filling meal without spending hours in the kitchen. By combining protein, carbohydrates, and cheese, this casserole offers a complete and nutritious dinner that can be on the table in under an hour.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 medium onion, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with diced onions, breaking the meat into small crumbles. Drain any excess fat from the pan to ensure the casserole isn't greasy.

Once the beef is fully cooked, stir in the cooked rice and cream of mushroom soup, mixing until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top the casserole with shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring complete coverage.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly golden brown. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven to allow the ingredients to set and make serving easier.

For the best results, use medium or long-grain rice and cook it separately before mixing with other ingredients. You can easily prepare this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. If baking from cold, add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time and cover with foil for the first half of baking to prevent the cheese from browning too quickly.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet, cooking it with diced onions until the meat is fully cooked and no pink remains.

Next, you'll mix in your cooked white rice and cream of mushroom soup, stirring until all ingredients are evenly combined and create a cohesive mixture.

Transfer this hearty base to a greased 9×13 baking dish, sprinkle the top generously with shredded cheddar cheese, and bake until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.

Step 1. Brown Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and grab your ground beef, preparing to transform this humble protein into a deliciously browned base for your casserole.

Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the beef into small, uniform pieces as it cooks, ensuring even browning and maximum flavor development. Season the meat with salt and pepper, letting it sizzle and release its natural juices.

Watch for visual cues:

• Meat should turn from pink to a rich, golden-brown color
• No pink remains in the center of the crumbles
• Fat begins to render and create a flavorful fond on the skillet

Once the ground beef reaches 160°F internally, drain excess fat using a colander. This step removes grease and ensures a cleaner, more concentrated flavor for your casserole's foundation.

Step 2. Mix Rice and Soup

After draining the savory browned beef, your casserole's flavor foundation stands ready for its next transformation. Grab your cooked white rice and cream of mushroom soup, then gently fold them into the beef mixture.

Stir carefully to ensure even distribution, allowing each grain of rice to become coated with the creamy soup base. Mix thoroughly but gently, preventing the rice from becoming mushy or breaking apart.

Key mixing tips:

• Use a large spatula or wooden spoon
• Combine ingredients at medium-low heat
• Aim for uniform coating of rice and beef
• Ensure soup is evenly distributed
• Stop stirring once ingredients are well-incorporated

The goal is a harmonious blend that promises rich, comforting flavors in every delectable bite.

Step 3. Transfer to Baking Dish

While the beef and rice mixture steams invitingly, grab your greased 9×13 inch baking dish and prepare for the next crucial step in creating this comforting casserole.

Carefully spread the hot mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish, using a spatula to ensure uniform distribution. Press the mixture down gently to create a compact layer that will help the casserole hold its shape during baking.

• Use smooth, consistent motions when transferring
• Aim for an even 1-inch thickness across the dish
• Leave about 1/2 inch of space at the top to prevent overflow

Position the baking dish so the surface looks level, preventing uneven cooking or potential burning at the edges.

You're now ready to add the crowning layer of shredded cheese that will transform this dish into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.

Step 4. Top With Cheese

Because cheese transforms a good casserole into an irresistible meal, you'll want to sprinkle your shredded cheddar carefully across the surface of your beef and rice mixture. Aim for an even distribution, ensuring every bite will have a rich, melted cheese layer.

Use about 2 cups of shredded cheddar, covering the entire casserole from edge to edge. The cheese should create a complete blanket over the beef and rice, with no significant gaps.

When spreading the cheese, use a light hand and let it naturally fall and settle. As the casserole bakes, the cheese will melt, creating those coveted golden-brown, crispy edges that everyone loves.

The result? A beautifully golden, bubbling surface that signals a perfectly prepared comfort food classic.

Step 5. Bake Until Golden Brown

Your cheesy ground beef and rice casserole is almost ready to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.

Carefully transfer the baking dish to a preheated 350°F oven, positioning the rack in the center for even heat distribution.

Watch for key visual cues that signal doneness: melted cheese with light golden edges, a slightly crispy top, and bubbling around the perimeter.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, keeping an eye on the surface to prevent over-browning. If the cheese starts to darken too quickly, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil.

The perfect casserole should emerge with:

• Melted, slightly crisp cheese
• Steaming hot interior
• Golden-brown surface
• Bubbling edges

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes, allowing the filling to set and flavors to meld before serving.

Final Thoughts

Although simple to prepare, this ground beef and rice casserole represents a classic comfort food that'll become a reliable staple in your meal rotation.

You'll appreciate how easily this dish comes together, transforming basic ingredients into a satisfying family meal.

Consider experimenting with optional add-ins like frozen vegetables or different cheese varieties to customize the recipe to your taste preferences.

The casserole freezes beautifully, allowing you to prepare extra portions for busy weeknights or quick meal prep.

When serving, pair it with a crisp side salad or steamed green vegetables to balance the richness of the cheese and beef.

Remember that precise cooking times and proper ingredient ratios are key to achieving the perfect texture and flavor in this comforting classic.