Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole – Easy Family Dinner
This Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food 🧀🍲. Made with tender ground beef, fluffy rice, and plenty of melted cheese, it’s a hearty, budget-friendly, and easy one-pan dinner the whole family will love. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or potluck gatherings. Simple, filling, and oh-so delicious – a true classic comfort dish!
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or spoon
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Foil
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz)
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ½ cup milk
- 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby Jack, or mozzarella)
- 1 cup mixed veggies (peas, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: chopped onions or herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions if using. Drain excess fat.
- Cook rice if not using pre-cooked.
- In a large bowl, mix cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in cooked rice, beef, veggies, and half the cheese.
- Transfer mixture to baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5–10 more minutes until bubbly.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for best melt.
- Swap ground beef for turkey or lentils for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Freeze before or after baking—cool completely first.
- Reheat in oven or microwave.
- Add a squeeze of lemon or fresh herbs for brightness.
- Gluten-free? Use GF cream soup and double-check seasonings.