Description
Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole delivers a comforting, one‑dish dinner that blends savory smoked beef, melted cheddar, fluffy rice, and mixed vegetables. Ready in under an hour, this budget‑friendly recipe offers a golden cheese crust, balanced protein, and kid‑approved flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd, it combines pantry staples into a hearty casserole that stays moist and delicious when reheated. Serve with a fresh salad and grape juice for zest tod
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or smoked beef)
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat; drain excess fat.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic; cook until translucent.
- Stir in beef broth, rice, mixed vegetables, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat; stir in half of the shredded cheese until melted.
- Transfer to a greased 9×13‑inch baking dish; top with remaining cheese.
- Bake 15‑20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne or chopped jalapeño with the onions. Use brown rice for added fiber, but increase broth by ¼ cup and simmer an extra 5‑7 minutes. Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven
- cover with foil to prevent drying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 servings
Keywords: Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole, easy beef casserole, cheesy rice bake, quick dinner recipes, family dinner ideas, one pot meals, budget-friendly meals, comfort food recipes