Description
Hearty cheddar-crusted ground beef and rice casserole delivers pure comfort on a plate, blending savory meat and fluffy rice under a golden cheese blanket. Families will savor this classic one-dish meal that promises warmth and satisfaction in every satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sauce and Dairy:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a greased baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef with diced onions until meat is fully cooked and onions are translucent.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet, then mix in garlic powder and tomato sauce, creating a rich, savory base.
- Fold in cooked rice and sour cream, ensuring ingredients are thoroughly blended and seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the beef and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Generously top the casserole with shredded cheddar cheese, covering the entire surface.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is completely melted, golden, and bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, aromatic finish before serving.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adding jalapeños or red pepper flakes for extra kick.
- Use brown rice or quinoa for a healthier whole grain alternative to white rice.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure tomato sauce and seasonings are certified gluten-free.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to accommodate dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg