Description
A comforting and hearty Cheesy Beef & Rice Casserole featuring ground beef, instant rice, and mixed vegetables baked in a creamy seasoned sauce topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect for an easy family meal that combines savory flavors and satisfying textures in one dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion, small diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Wet Ingredients & Seasonings
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of celery soup
- 1 ½ cups beef stock
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup instant rice
- 12 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside to prepare the casserole for baking.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a dutch oven or large skillet with deep sides over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced onion. Break up the beef into crumbles and cook, stirring often, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are softened, about 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove the pan from heat to avoid burning the garlic.
- Combine Soup and Seasonings: Add the cream of celery soup, beef stock, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper to the beef mixture. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Rice and Vegetables: Stir in the instant rice and frozen mixed vegetables until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with nonstick foil and bake for 45 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
- Broil Cheese: Uncover the casserole and place it under the broiler for a few minutes to lightly brown the cheese topping. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Optionally, garnish with dried or fresh parsley for color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting cheesy beef and rice casserole.
Notes
- This casserole is a family favorite comfort meal and an easy one-dish recipe perfect for busy nights.
- Using instant rice significantly reduces the cooking time.
- Feel free to swap the frozen mixed vegetables with your preferred mix or fresh vegetables if desired.
- Covering the dish during baking ensures even cooking and prevents the cheese from drying out.
- Broiling at the end adds a delicious golden crust on top, enhancing flavor and presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 379 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 622 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg
