Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice (Printable version)
Hearty beef and rice bake with melted cheese, perfect for family dinners.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend preferred
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
→ Rice & Grains
05 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
→ Dairy
06 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
07 - 1/2 cup sour cream
08 - 1 1/2 cups whole milk
→ Pantry
09 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 1 tsp kosher salt
12 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
15 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until onion is softened and fragrant.
04 - Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes until heated through.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Add uncooked rice, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper if using. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
06 - Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared 9x13-inch casserole dish, spreading it into an even layer.
07 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 35 minutes until rice is tender and mixture is bubbly around edges.
08 - Remove foil and sprinkle remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return to oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set and make serving easier.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- Everything happens in one skillet before baking, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development
- The rice cooks right in the casserole, absorbing all those savory beef and cheese flavors while becoming incredibly tender
02 -
- Dont skip the foil-covered baking time or your rice will turn out crunchy and undercooked
- Letting it rest for those 5 minutes makes a huge difference in how well the portions hold together on the plate
03 -
- Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting and creamier texture
- Let the beef mixture cool slightly before combining with cheese to prevent the cheese from separating