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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe for Perfect Weeknight Dinner

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A quick and comforting casserole combining savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup cooked white or brown rice (leftover rice works well)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
  • Optional: ½ cup frozen peas or diced bell peppers
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. If not using leftover rice, rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until clear and cook according to package instructions (about 15-20 minutes). Set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  6. Season beef with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir and let spices toast for a minute.
  7. Pour in beef broth and tomato sauce. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes to thicken and deepen flavors.
  8. If using veggies like peas or bell peppers, stir them in now and cook for another 2 minutes.
  9. Remove skillet from heat and gently fold in cooked rice and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
  10. Transfer mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
  11. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
  12. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
  13. Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

If cheese browns too fast, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking. Add a splash of extra broth before baking if rice seems dry. Leftover rice works best to keep texture fluffy. For dairy-free, substitute cheddar with vegan cheese and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole, rice casserole, weeknight dinner, easy dinner, comfort food, baked casserole

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