Fast French Onion Ground Beef And Rice Casserole Recipe

Comfort arrives in a delightful french onion ground beef and rice casserole that whispers warmth from your kitchen.

Savory aromas will drift through every room, promising a meal that satisfies deep hunger.

Layers of rich flavors blend perfectly with minimal cooking effort.

Caramelized onions mingle with tender beef, creating a hearty one-pan wonder.

Cheese melts into golden perfection, adding creamy texture to each delectable bite.

Home cooks appreciate simple recipes that deliver maximum taste with minimal complexity.

We bet this dish becomes your new weeknight dinner hero that everyone asks you to make again.

Why French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Feels Like Home

• Quick Family Meal: Craft a hearty dinner that satisfies hungry family members with minimal prep work and maximum flavor.
• One-Pan Wonder: Simplify your cooking process by using a single baking dish, reducing cleanup and saving precious kitchen time.
• Comfort Food Champion: Deliver a warm, filling casserole that combines classic ground beef with rich French onion flavors for ultimate satisfaction.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Create a delicious meal using affordable ingredients that stretch to feed multiple people without breaking the bank.

Ingredients for French Onion Beef and Rice Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base that provides rich meat texture and satisfying protein for the casserole.

• White Rice: The foundational grain that absorbs delicious flavors and creates a comforting base.
• Garlic Salt: Adds savory depth and enhances the overall seasoning of the ground beef.

• Beef Consomme, French Onion Soup, Water: Create a deeply flavorful liquid that helps cook the rice and infuse the dish with rich, meaty onion taste.
• Butter: Adds richness, helps create a golden brown top, and contributes to the creamy texture of the casserole.

How to Make French Onion Ground Beef Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Baking Dish

Warm up your oven to 425F (220C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and coat it generously with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Toss ground beef into a large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle with garlic salt and break the meat into small, tasty crumbles.

Cook until the beef turns a rich, golden brown. Drain any extra grease to keep the dish light and delicious.

Step 3: Layer the Base

Spread uncooked rice across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top the rice with the perfectly browned ground beef, creating an even layer that promises delightful flavor in every bite.

Step 4: Create the Liquid Magic

• Beef consomme
• French onion soup
• Water

Gently mix everything together, ensuring the rice and beef are completely coated with the savory liquid mixture.

Step 5: Add Buttery Goodness

Slice butter and arrange the pieces evenly across the top of the casserole.

These butter bits will melt and infuse the dish with rich, creamy flavor.

Step 6: First Baking Round

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb all those incredible flavors.

Step 7: Finish with a Golden Touch

Remove the foil and return the casserole to the oven.

Bake for another 30 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges become slightly crispy.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Pull the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

Use a fork to gently fluff the rice, mixing all the delicious ingredients together. Serve hot and watch everyone dig in with excitement!

Tips That Make This Casserole Extra Delicious

• Select lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier dish.
• Check rice doneness by testing a small grain during the final uncovered baking stage to ensure perfect texture.
• Substitute water with low-sodium chicken broth for enhanced flavor depth without adding extra salt.
• Experiment with adding shredded cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a crispy, golden-brown crust.
• Allow casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help rice absorb remaining moisture and settle completely.

Variations to Switch Up French Onion Beef Casserole

• Vegetarian Rice Skillet: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, maintaining the French onion soup's rich flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Swap beef consomme with vegetable broth, add oregano, thyme, and swap ground beef for chickpeas for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Substitute rice with riced cauliflower, keeping the French onion soup and ground beef for a lower-carbohydrate alternative.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Casserole: Ensure French onion soup and beef consomme are gluten-free certified, use gluten-free rice, and maintain the original recipe's core ingredients.

What Goes Well with Ground Beef Rice Casserole

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich, savory beef and onion flavors, cutting through the dish's heartiness with its tannic structure.
• Enhance with Fresh Green Salad: Toss a crisp mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the casserole's dense and creamy texture, balancing the meal's richness.
• Serve Alongside Roasted Vegetables: Prepare roasted Brussels sprouts or glazed carrots to add a caramelized, slightly sweet element that echoes the golden-brown top of the casserole and provides additional nutritional depth.

How to Store French Onion Casserole Properly

Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, ensuring minimal air exposure. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.

Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water to prevent dryness, and heat at 50% power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Preheat oven to 350F, place casserole in a baking dish, cover with foil to retain moisture, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated completely through.

FAQs

• Why use French onion soup in this recipe?

French onion soup adds deep, rich flavor and helps tenderize the beef while perfectly seasoning the rice without extra spices.

• Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

White rice works best for this recipe as brown rice requires longer cooking time and more liquid, which could disrupt the casserole’s texture and consistency.

• Is this recipe good for meal prepping?

Absolutely! This casserole reheats well and maintains its flavor, making it an excellent option for preparing meals in advance for busy weeknights.

• What makes the ground beef tender in this dish?

Cooking the beef with garlic salt and then baking it slowly in the consomme and French onion soup helps break down the meat, ensuring a tender and flavorful result.

French Onion Ground Beef And Rice Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting French onion ground beef and rice casserole brings together hearty flavors in one delightful dish. Savory beef, caramelized onions, and creamy rice create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (450 grams) lean ground beef

Liquids and Soups:

• 2 cans (10.5 ounces each) beef consomme
• 2 cans (10.5 ounces each) French onion soup
• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) water

Seasonings and Base Ingredients:

• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon garlic salt (to taste)
• 2 cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 3/4 cup (170 grams) butter, sliced (1.5 sticks)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch dish with non-stick spray at 425F (220C).
2. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, seasoning with garlic salt and crumbling the meat thoroughly. Eliminate excess grease.
3. Create an even layer of uncooked rice across the greased baking dish, then distribute the cooked beef uniformly.
4. Gently cascade beef consomme, French onion soup, and water over the rice and meat mixture, carefully incorporating all liquids.
5. Strategically place butter slices across the entire surface to ensure comprehensive flavor distribution.
6. Shield the casserole with aluminum foil, then transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
7. Unveil the dish, removing the foil cover, and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes until the surface transforms into a rich golden-brown landscape.
8. Extract from oven and allow a brief resting period. Tenderly fluff the rice with a fork, blending the caramelized elements and melded flavors before serving.

Notes

• Selecting lean ground beef helps reduce excess fat and creates a lighter, healthier casserole.
• Rinse rice before adding to remove extra starch, ensuring a fluffier and less sticky texture.
• Experiment with low-sodium soup options to control salt content for heart-conscious diners.
• Fresh herbs like parsley or chives can brighten the dish and add a vibrant flavor finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 606
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1160 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg