Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting, family-friendly dish packed with seasoned beef, tender rice, and gooey melted cheese. This easy, one-pan meal is perfect for busy weeknights and delivers rich, savory flavors with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy & Hearty – A filling meal with simple ingredients.
- One-Pan Wonder – Fewer dishes and quick cleanup.
- Creamy & Cheesy – Loaded with melty cheese for ultimate comfort.
- Great for Meal Prep – Tastes even better the next day.
- Customizable – Add veggies, swap proteins, or change up the cheese.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Onion, diced
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Uncooked white or brown rice
- Beef broth
- Tomato sauce
- Diced tomatoes (optional)
- Worcestershire sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika (optional)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Olive oil or butter
Directions
- Preheat the Oven – Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Beef – In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Sauté the Aromatics – Add diced onion and garlic to the beef and cook until softened.
- Add Rice & Liquid – Stir in uncooked rice, beef broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well.
- Simmer – Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes until the rice absorbs most of the liquid.
- Top with Cheese & Bake – Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve & Enjoy – Let cool slightly before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Make It Spicy – Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
- Veggie Boost – Stir in bell peppers, mushrooms, or peas.
- Protein Swap – Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Cheese Options – Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or pepper jack.
- Low-Carb Option – Replace rice with cauliflower rice (reduce broth amount).
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe dish. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes or microwave in 1-minute intervals.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked rice?
Yes! Reduce the broth amount and adjust cooking time accordingly.
What’s the best cheese for this casserole?
Cheddar is classic, but you can mix in mozzarella or Colby Jack for variety.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble, cover, and refrigerate, then bake when ready.
How do I keep the casserole from drying out?
Cover with foil while baking to retain moisture.
Can I make this without an oven-safe skillet?
Yes! Transfer everything to a baking dish before adding cheese and baking.
What sides go well with this dish?
A side salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables complement it well.
Can I add beans?
Yes! Black beans or kidney beans add extra protein and texture.
What’s a good substitute for Worcestershire sauce?
Soy sauce or balsamic vinegar works in a pinch.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free cheese alternative or skip the cheese topping.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Absolutely! The cheesy, mild flavors make it a hit with kids.
Conclusion
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make meal that’s packed with flavor. With its cheesy topping, hearty beef, and perfectly cooked rice, this dish is a go-to recipe for busy nights. Give it a try and enjoy a delicious homemade dinner that everyone will love!
PrintCheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
A hearty, comforting casserole made with seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and melted cheese. This easy one-pan meal is perfect for busy weeknights!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup uncooked white rice (or brown rice, adjusted for cook time)
- 1¾ cups beef broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup (or cream of cheddar)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- ½ cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables (optional)
For Topping:
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for crunch)
- 1 tbsp melted butter (for breadcrumbs)
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned (5-6 minutes). Drain excess grease.
- Sauté onions & garlic: Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano, cooking for another 1-2 minutes.
- Combine ingredients: Stir in uncooked rice, beef broth, condensed soup, and drained diced tomatoes. Mix well.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish and spread evenly. Cover with foil.
- Bake covered for 35 minutes (45 minutes if using brown rice).
- Add cheese & bake again: Remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheeses on top, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, until bubbly.
- Optional breadcrumb topping: Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole before the final 10-minute bake.
- Serve & enjoy: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm!
Notes
- Swap cream of mushroom for cream of chicken or homemade roux.
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 4 days or freeze for 3 months.