Description
A hearty and comforting cheesy ground beef and rice casserole made with savory Italian-seasoned ground beef, tender mushrooms, creamy mushroom soup, and melted cheddar cheese, all baked to perfection. This all-in-one dish combines simple pantry ingredients for a satisfying family meal with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 lb. ground beef, 85% lean
- 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Rice and Vegetables
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- ¾ cup onions, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 ¼ cups uncooked white long grain rice (not instant rice)
- 8 oz. sliced button mushrooms, washed
Casserole Mix
- 10.5 oz. cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk (any kind)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Brown Beef: In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess grease, transfer the beef to a plate, and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add diced onions and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook Rice: Add beef broth, remaining butter, and uncooked rice to the pot. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover tightly, and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add Mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms to the pot, replace the cover, and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until the rice is tender according to the rice package instructions. Do not stir the rice during cooking.
- Rest Rice: Turn off the heat but keep the pot covered. Let it stand for 10 minutes to allow any rice stuck to the bottom to release and fully absorb liquid.
- Combine Casserole Ingredients: Add the cooked ground beef back into the pot along with cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly on top. Cover the dish and bake for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm for a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- For best results, do not stir the rice during cooking to prevent gumminess.
- You can cook the rice separately if preferred; then adjust broth quantity accordingly.
- Feel free to substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor.
- This recipe can be doubled and baked in a larger casserole dish if needed.
- Allow the casserole to rest 5-10 minutes after baking for easier slicing and serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
