Ground Beef and White Rice Casserole with Cheddar

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this oven baked cheesy ground beef and rice casserole. Ground beef is cooked on the stove along with a combo of veggies like onions and peppers, then mixed in a rich tomato and beef broth sauce, rice added in, and topped with freshly shredded cheddar cheese and baked in the oven until hot and bubbly! This for the perfect weeknight meal! Serves 6.

a scoop of beef and rice casserole on a plate.

Us Southerners love a hearty casserole! A stick-to-your-bones-feeds-your-soul kinda meal is our specialty. This cheddar-crusted ground beef and rice casserole is pure Southern comfort. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and easy cleanup. It's the perfect modern-day Southern girl casserole aka use up what you have on hand in the fridge, and no "can of this or that" in the ingredient list - just fresh and simple. 

I love fuss-free Southern casserole recipes for weeknight meals or to serve loved ones coming over for dinner. Recipes like this and cheesy ground beef enchilada casserole are always big hits. Let me show you how I make it in my own kitchen. 

ground beef and rice casserole in a white 9x9 baking dish right after coming out of the oven with a. napkin and stack of plates next to it.

PRO TIP - I find using a tool like this meat chopper*, helps so much in breaking up the beef into small pieces while cooking. It is an essential tool in my kitchen! (*Amazon affiliate link)

Ground beef cooking in a skillet.
Brown the ground beef in a medium-sized pot on the stove over medium heat. Use a meat chopper to break it up into small pieces. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until starting to brown.
Chopping onions on a pink cutting board.
While the meat is browning, chop up your onions and veggies, and mince your garlic.
Sautéing onions and peppers in a big pot on the stove.
Add the veggies to the pot with the beef and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the veggies soften slightly.
a big pot on the stove cooking together a tomato sauce with ground beef, rice and peppers inside.
Add in the beef broth, tomatoes, spices and rice.
The filling for ground beef and rice casserole cooking in a pot on the stove.
Stir to mix everything together.
The filling for ground beef and rice casserole in a 9x9 white square baking dish.
Pour the filling into a greased 9x9 baking dish. Top with foil and bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
Shredded cheese on top of ground beef and rice casserole before going into the oven to bake.
After 30 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle the cheese on top, then place back into the oven to bake for another 30 minutes. The center will be hot and bubbly, with the rice tender and cheese melted.
A scoop of ground beef, rice and cheese casserole in a bowl with a spoon inside.
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Recipe

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Ground beef and rice casserole dished out onto a bowl with a spoon next to it.

Ground Beef and White Rice Casserole with Cheddar


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Description

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this oven baked cheesy ground beef and rice casserole. Ground beef is cooked on the stove along with a combo of veggies like onions and peppers, then mixed in a rich tomato and beef broth sauce, rice added in, and topped with freshly shredded cheddar cheese and baked in the oven until hot and bubbly! This for the perfect weeknight meal! 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 Pound Ground Beef
  • 1 Medium Onion - diced
  • 2 Cloves of Garlic - minced
  • 2 Cups Your Choice Veggies - chopped (broccoli, peppers, mushrooms, eggplant, etc)
  • 15 Ounce Canned Crushed Tomatoes
  • 2 Cups Beef Broth
  • 1 Cup White Rice - uncooked
  • 2 Teaspoon Fresh Parsley - minced (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • ½ Teaspoon Ground Pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon White Pepper
  • 6 Ounces Cheddar Cheese - shredded


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9"x 9" baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. To a large pot, add the ground beef over medium heat. Cook for 7-10 minutes, breaking up with a wooden spoon or meat chopper into small pieces.
  3. Once the beef is browned about ¾ of the way through, add in the onion, garlic, and veggies of choice. Cook for another 5-10 minutes until the veggies are soft and the meat is fully browned.
  4. Add in the broth, tomatoes, and spices. Stir in the rice.
  5. Pour in the greased baking dish and top with foil. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and take off the foil. Sprinkle the cheese on top and place back into the oven to bake for another 30 minutes. It will be hot and bubbly, Bruce tender, and the cheese fully melted. Let cool for 10 minutes, then serve. 

Notes

  • Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for 2-3 days
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Dinner - Casserole
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 scoop
  • Calories: 294
  • Sugar: 5.7 g
  • Sodium: 701.5 mg
  • Fat: 12.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19.3 g
  • Fiber: 2.5 g
  • Protein: 26.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 73.3 mg
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