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Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole in a baking dish, topped with melted cheese

Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole

A comforting and easy casserole made with ground beef, rice, cheese, and optional diced tomatoes, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup rice (uncooked)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice) Sharp cheddar recommended
  • 1 can diced tomatoes Optional
  • 1 small onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: chopped green onions or parsley

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with chopped onion and minced garlic until meat is cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
  3. Stir in the uncooked rice, beef broth, diced tomatoes (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish and cover with shredded cheese.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the cheese is bubbly.
Serving
  1. Serve warm, garnished with optional toppings, alongside a side salad or garlic bread.

Notes

Casseroles are forgiving. You can swap ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter option. If using instant rice, toast it a little first for better texture. You can freeze the casserole before baking; just underbake by 10 minutes and reheat covered.