Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole (Printable Format)

Hearty one-dish casserole with ground beef, rice, and melty cheese. Ready in under an hour for easy family dinners.

# What You'll Gather:

→ Casserole Base

01 - 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
02 - 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
03 - 1 small onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup (or cream of celery)
06 - 1 (10.5 oz) can tomato soup
07 - 1 1/2 cups beef broth
08 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
09 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
10 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Cheesy Topping

11 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Optional Add-Ins

13 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
14 - 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
15 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce for some heat

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet, cook the ground beef along with the diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is nicely browned and the onions are soft. Drain off any excess fat - this keeps your casserole from getting greasy.
02 - In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, combine the cooked beef mixture with the uncooked rice, both soups, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Give it all a really good stir to make sure everything is evenly distributed. If you're adding vegetables or mushrooms, fold them in now.
03 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. The rice should absorb most of the liquid and become tender. Remove the foil, sprinkle both cheeses evenly over the top, then bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
04 - Let the casserole stand for about 5 minutes before serving - this gives the rice time to absorb any remaining liquid and makes it easier to serve. Dish it up while it's still hot and enjoy that cheesy, comforting goodness!

# Important Tips:

01 - This is a perfect one-dish meal that uses simple pantry staples and feeds a crowd without breaking the budget.
02 - For extra flavor, try using beef bouillon dissolved in the broth instead of plain broth.
03 - Want crispy, golden edges? Turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
04 - This casserole is freezer-friendly! Assemble it unbaked, freeze, then bake from frozen (add 10-15 extra minutes).
05 - Leftovers taste even better the next day and reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven.
06 - Feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables or swap the ground beef for turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat.

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