Print

Ground Beef Rice Casserole

ground beef rice casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

This easy, classic ground beef rice casserole is the ultimate comfort dinner—creamy, cheesy, and packed with savory beef, tender rice, and veggies. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals, it’s a crowd-pleaser that comes together with simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85-90% lean)
  • 2 cups cooked white rice
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3/4 cup frozen peas
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • Butter or nonstick spray (for greasing dish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease if needed.
  3. Push beef to the side of the skillet. Add diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture, cooked rice, frozen peas, drained diced tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until evenly coated.
  5. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix again.
  6. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese over the top.
  7. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  8. Let casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For best flavor, brown the beef well and use cooked rice. Mix cheeses for extra gooeyness. Let the casserole rest before serving for clean slices. Easily adaptable: swap in ground turkey, use brown rice, or add extra veggies. For gluten-free, use gluten-free condensed soup. Freezes well for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef casserole, rice casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, cheesy casserole, weeknight dinner, freezer friendly, meal prep

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/ground-beef-rice-casserole-recipe-easy-classic-comfort-dinner/