Easy Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
A comforting and satisfying casserole combining ground beef, rice, and melted cheddar cheese, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 1 cup uncooked white long grain rice
- 2 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until onions are translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the uncooked rice, coating it evenly with the beef mixture. Pour in the beef broth and optional diced tomatoes, stirring once to combine.
- Season with salt and black pepper, starting light and adjusting after baking.
- Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch casserole dish, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until rice is tender and cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Brown the beef thoroughly for better flavor and drain excess fat to avoid greasiness. Use long grain rice for best texture. Let casserole rest before serving to help it set. If rice is underdone, cover with foil and bake an additional 5-10 minutes. Foil can also prevent cheese from browning too fast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 350400
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: beef casserole, cheesy casserole, easy dinner, rice casserole, weeknight meal, comfort food