Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice (Printable)

Hearty beef and rice casserole with melted cheddar, vegetables, and creamy sauce for an easy family dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 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)

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef 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. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
04 - Stir in frozen mixed vegetables. Cook for 2 minutes to thaw and warm through.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Add uncooked rice, 1 cup cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, salt, black 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.
08 - Remove foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return to oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and melted.
09 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to set.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan before it hits the oven, meaning minimal dishes and maximum flavor
  • The rice absorbs all those seasoned beef juices while baking, so every bite tastes like comfort
02 -
  • I once skipped draining the beef fat and the casserole came out greasy, so do not skip that step
  • The foil needs to be tight or the rice will not cook through properly
03 -
  • Let the beef mixture cool slightly before mixing in the cheese so it does not melt immediately
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for better melting

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