A Hearty, One-Pan Family Favorite!
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—packed with savory ground beef, tender rice, veggies, and melty cheddar cheese. It’s an easy, budget-friendly dinner that comes together in one dish, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ One-Pan Wonder – Minimal cleanup!
✅ Family-Friendly – Kids and adults love it.
✅ Meal Prep Hero – Makes great leftovers.
✅ Customizable – Swap ingredients based on what you have.
Ingredients & Easy Swaps
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef – Swap with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles.
- 1 small onion + 2 garlic cloves – Adds depth of flavor.
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice – White, brown, or jasmine rice works.
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes – Fire-roasted tomatoes add extra flavor.
- 2 cups beef broth – Chicken or vegetable broth works too.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – Try pepper jack or mozzarella for a twist.
Seasonings & Extras:
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning – Or use ½ tsp each dried oregano and basil.
- 1 cup frozen mixed veggies – Peas, carrots, corn, or green beans.
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped parsley – For freshness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat & Brown the Beef
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a skillet, brown ground beef, onion, and garlic until no longer pink. Drain fat.
2️⃣ Mix Everything Together
- In a large bowl, combine:
- Cooked beef mixture
- Uncooked rice (yes, it cooks in the oven!)
- Diced tomatoes (with juices)
- Beef broth
- Italian seasoning, salt, pepper
- Frozen veggies
3️⃣ Bake & Add Cheese
- Pour into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cover with foil and bake 45 mins.
- Uncover, stir, then top with cheese.
- Bake 10-15 mins more until bubbly.
4️⃣ Rest & Serve!
- Let sit 5 mins before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Pro Tips for the Best Casserole
🍚 Rice Note – If using brown rice, add ½ cup extra broth and bake 15-20 mins longer.
🧀 Extra Cheesy – Mix 1 cup cheese into the casserole, then top with more.
🌶 Kick It Up – Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce for spice.
Storage & Reheating
❄ Fridge – Keeps 3-4 days covered.
⛄ Freezer – Freeze before baking (thaw, then bake as directed).
🔥 Reheat – Microwave or bake at 350°F until warmed through.
Delicious Variations
🍅 Mexican Style – Add taco seasoning, black beans, and corn. Top with salsa and avocado.
🍄 Mushroom Lover’s – Sauté mushrooms with the beef.
🥦 Low-Carb – Swap rice for cauliflower rice (reduce broth to 1 cup).
What to Serve With It
🥗 Simple Salad – A crisp green salad balances the richness.
🍞 Garlic Bread – Perfect for soaking up flavors.
🥒 Pickles or Olives – Adds a tangy contrast.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is easy, hearty, and satisfying—the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table!
Try it tonight and watch it disappear! 😋