Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice (Print Version)
Hearty beef and rice bake with melted cheddar, ready in one hour.
# 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
→ 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
# Step-by-Step Guide:
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 spoon. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add onion and 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 from heat. Add rice, 1 cup cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and cayenne. Mix well until fully combined.
06 - Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish, spreading smooth.
07 - Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 35 minutes.
08 - Remove foil and sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and casserole is heated through.
09 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Everything happens in one pan before the oven, meaning fewer dishes and more time to actually relax while it bakes
- The combination of cream of mushroom soup and sour cream creates this incredibly velvety texture that makes even simple rice feel special
02 -
- The first time I made this I forgot to cover it with foil and the rice was still crunchy in the middle, so don't skip that step
- Using a higher fat beef really does make a difference here because the rice absorbs so much liquid while cooking
03 -
- Rinse your rice before adding it to remove excess starch and prevent the final dish from becoming gummy
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded—it melts so much better and the sauce will be silkier