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Ground Beef And Rice Casserole
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An easy family favorite. Ground beef is mixed with onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, onion, and rice and baked in a casserole dish until done.
serves/makes:
ready in:
1-2 hrs
1-2 hrs
36 reviews
8 comments
ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 can (10.75 ounce size) cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 cup water
1 cup uncooked instant rice
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat; drain off any excess grease.
Combine the beef and onions with the onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, water, and rice and mix well.
Transfer the beef mixture to a baking dish and bake, covered, at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until the rice is cooked.
Uncover the baking dish and sprinkle the top with the cheese. Put the baking dish back in oven until the cheese is melted. Serve hot.
recipe tips
For added flavor, mix in a teaspoon of garlic powder or Worcestershire sauce to the soup mixture.
To add some nutrients, add vegetables like peas, carrots, or corn.
Let the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking for the rice to absorb any remaining liquid.
For a crispy topping, add breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top along with the cheese.
Try adding a can of drained and rinsed beans for added protein and fiber.
You can use low-sodium soup and cheese to reduce the overall salt content.
For a creamier texture, add a half cup of sour cream or cream cheese to the beef mixture.
common recipe questions
Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used as leaner alternatives. Or use a plant-based substitute.
What can I use instead of onion soup mix?
A combination of beef bouillon, dried onion flakes, and a pinch of onion powder can be used.
Is there a substitute for cream of mushroom soup?
Cream of chicken or celery soup can be used as alternatives.
Can I make this recipe without rice?
Yes, but you'll need to adjust the liquid and cooking time. Quinoa or pasta are possible substitutes.
What can I use instead of cheddar cheese?
Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a Mexican cheese blend can be used.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or microwave.
Can this casserole be frozen?
Yes, it can be frozen before or after baking. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
tools needed
Large Skillet: For browning the ground beef and onions over medium-high heat. Make sure to drain off any excess grease before proceeding with the recipe.
Baking Dish: For transferring the beef mixture to before baking in the oven. Make sure the baking dish is large enough to hold all the ingredients without overflowing.
Measuring Cups: For accurately measuring the water and rice for the recipe.
Spatula: For mixing the beef and onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, water, and rice in the skillet. Make sure to scrape up all the flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Cheese Grater (optional): If you decide to add shredded cheddar cheese to the casserole, you'll need a cheese grater. Freshly grated cheese always tastes better than pre-shredded from a bag.
what goes with it?
Garlic Green Beans: the garlicky flavor of the green beans will cut through the richness of the casserole, creating a balanced bite.
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus: the smoky, salty flavor of the bacon will elevate the simple casserole, adding a touch of sophistication to your dinner table.
Creamy Coleslaw: the cool, crunchy coleslaw will provide a refreshing element to the casserole.
Steamed Broccoli: add a pop of color and a boost of nutrition with steamed broccoli. The freshness of the broccoli will be a nice contrast to the casserole.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts: for a more sophisticated pairing, try roasted Brussels sprouts. The crispy texture and slightly bitter flavor of the sprouts will cut through the richness of the beef and rice casserole.
Sour Cream: a dollop of sour cream on top of the casserole will add a cool, tangy element that complements the warm, savory flavors of the dish.
beverage pairings
Wine Pairings
Merlot: A medium-bodied Merlot with its smooth tannins and hints of plum and cherry can complement the richness of the beef and rice casserole without overwhelming it. Look for one with a velvety finish for a delightful pairing.
Chardonnay: Opt for an oaked Chardonnay to match the creaminess of the mushroom soup and the cheese. The buttery notes in the wine can enhance the savory flavors in the casserole while adding a touch of elegance to your meal.
Cabernet Sauvignon: If you prefer a red wine, a bold Cabernet Sauvignon can hold its own against the hearty flavors of the casserole. Look for one with black fruit and vanilla notes to accentuate the dish's depth.
Other Alcohol Pairings
IPA: An IPA with its hoppy bitterness can cut through the richness of the casserole while enhancing the savory flavors. The floral and citrus notes in the beer can bring a refreshing balance to each bite.
Margarita: A classic Margarita with its tangy lime and hint of salt can provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy mushroom sauce in the casserole. The tequila adds a kick of flavor that pairs well with the beef.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
Apple Juice: A glass of crisp apple juice can provide a fruity contrast to the savory casserole. The sweetness of the juice can balance out the richness of the beef and rice.
Iced Chai Latte: If you're in the mood for something spiced, an iced chai latte can provide a comforting sip alongside the hearty casserole. The blend of spices in the latte can enhance the flavors of the dish.
nutrition data
548 calories, 27 grams fat, 47 grams carbohydrates, 26 grams protein per serving.
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reviews & comments
February 22, 2023
Seeing the comments that people were unsure whether to brown the meat but I see that in the very first line.Anyway this fit the bill for quick and using available ingredients. Didn't have onion soup mix so just used other spices like garlic powder, basil. Used cream of chicken soup, and it turned out very tasty. Quick comfort food on a snowy day Thank you
A small question before attempting this recipe the ingredients list calls for instant rice and was wondering if minute rice would work as a substitute as I don't really care for the taste or texture of instant rice trying to avoid cooking rice separately and adding andMixing cooked rice
Minute rice IS instant rice. Are you talking about regular long-grain rice? If so, you can still use it but you'll have to adjust the amount of liquid added.
November 20, 2019
Amazing! So far this is the familyâs favorite!!! Comfort food
July 27, 2019
comfort food at its best
March 25, 2019
I made this tonight but instead of using ground beef and onion soup mix I used hot breakfast sausage. It was amazing!!! Will definitely be making again!
September 19, 2018
Made with frozen cauliflower rice and just a splash of water. Also used cream of celery soup. Didnât have cream of mushroom. Was great! Diet friendly too!
August 31, 2018
I made this tonight. We were pleasantly surprised. I only added garlic to the meat while cooking. Definitely a keeper
August 22, 2018
Only 3 stars (if even that)when I made it as written. We found it to be waaay too salty. The next time I made it, I added in some (thawed) frozen broccoli florets, used Heart Healthy soup, and instant brown rice.... which made the dish much healthier & tastier. We liked it this way, so I'll definitely be making it again.
July 28, 2018
I made this tonight, and loved it! I used 2 pkgs of Boil-in-the-Bag microwave rice (cooked as directed), one large can cream of mushroom, and the 1 C of water according to recipe. Worked out very well!
February 22, 2018
my husband loves this casserole, can you freeze for later? hubby would love to take for lunch sometime.
We haven't tried freezing it (only because there is never any left over to test it on!). It should freeze ok. The rice might get a little softer upon reheating.
December 9, 2017
Love it all the family loves it they keep asking me to make it
November 15, 2017
Made this with modifications: used regular rice instead of instant so cooked it before incorporating it; stirred in onion soup mix with ground meat; added frozen mixed veggies and omitted the onion. GF liked it so itâs going into the rotation!
October 1, 2017
Loved this!Easy & delicious. Will def make again but will double recipe.
September 1, 2017
We eat a lot of rice so when I have leftover I freeze it. I use cooked rice in this recipe and just omit the water (2 cups cooked rice versus one cup uncooked with water). I cook it less time then too, don't really time it just eyeball it when it's bubbly.
August 19, 2017
5 stars for being total comfort food.
July 9, 2017
I loved this recipe it was quick, easy and good. I substituted ground turkey for ground beef, used pre-cooked rice from my refrigerator, and mixed the cheese into the casserole. Then I baked it for 30 minutes.
Would it work if I had the rice already made and ready and just mixed it all in with the rest of the ingredients and then put it in the oven for a bit? Or does the instant rice have to be uncooked
You can use pre-cooked rice. Just omit the water called for. It may be a little soupier than making as directed with uncooked rice since the cooked rice won't absorb much liquid.
April 7, 2017
It was easy and tasted great.
March 13, 2017
I used jasmine rice and cooked it 1st then added it to the browned beef, onion soup mix, mushroom soup and then I used green onions (I needed to get rid of them). I added a little water, maybe 1/2-3/4 C and then covered and cooked it for 1/2 an hour. I topped it with mozzarella cheese. Pretty easy. Tastes good, too. Husband liked it, 11yr old son and 13 yr old daughter gave it 7/10.
January 19, 2017
We are typically noodle casserole family, but this mom needed something different. I have some persnickety eaters here so it is a challenge. I changed mushroom cream soup to chicken cream soup and added a half cup more water. Well, I loved it, my husband (who hates onion soup) loved it, my 9 year old loved it but the 11 and 12 year old, nah. They are just terrible so you can't use those two...lol... Funny thing is, I didn't tell my husband the ingredients, otherwise it would have been a "no go". He whispered to me that he knew I used onion soup...lol...
We typically don't have minute rice. Is there a way this can be made with short grain, brown rice etc?
You would have to adjust the liquid amounts and cooking time. You could probably adjust it to use cooked rice but we haven't tested this particular recipe that way.
I Dont Have Instant Rice,Im Going To Use My Good Ole Uncle Bens Long Grain Original..Precooking It Before Building..So My Question Is..Being That The Rice Is Already Precooked Would It Need Be In The Oven For An Hour? Seems Like It Would Be Overdone.
Using pre-cooked rice will change both the cooking time and the liquid requirements.
August 4, 2016
So yummy and I followed the directions exactly as it is written.
August 1, 2016
I followed directions and added bell peppers turned out great!
I see people complaining about the 'uncooked rice'....but I think they're missing 'instant' with that description. As with instant rice, the water ratio listed here is, in fact, correct. And the recipe clearly says 'uncooked instant rice'.
April 26, 2016
My boyfriend loooooooved it I'll be making it again for sure
January 22, 2016
It's not bad. If you enjoy onions, you'll love this. I am probably going to add more rice and not so much onion next time.
I am in the process of trying this dish. I know from cooking experience that the water to rice (uncooked) is not correct. The cream does not factor into the liquid ratio. I have doubled the water to two cups. I will post again when dish is complete.
May 9, 2015
doesnt work with regular rice unless precooked :-( but tasty once you get the rice done correctly
March 13, 2015
I loved this, and my family did as well...so much that I made it again the next night. :) I wish the directions were a little more clear but I made due. I browned my meat, I used minute rice, I used a 9x13 pan covered with foil. Again it was so yummy!!!
November 6, 2014
This is a little different spin on an old family fav....my boys are extremely picky eaters, this is a simple yet flavorful way to please them all. The best part is you can always add vegetables or seasoning to taste and it will always come out great :-).
September 21, 2014
I wasn't sure about the ground beef so I browned it, drained it, then mixed it all. I'm pretty sure that's what you're supposed to do otherwise it'd be meatloaf, right? Anyway, it turned out really good this way so I'd recommend that.
September 6, 2014
I used turkey burger and added a green pepper, some seasonings, and a partial can of corn. My hubby and 2 year old loved it!
September 3, 2014
Calling BS! Rice was not cooked! Maybe with cooked rice this recipe would work, but not with uncooked. So, be for warned.
I'm sorry to hear that it didn't turn out for you. You did cook it covered, correct? No one else has reported that the rice didn't cook for them. Maybe your oven isn't heating properly?
August 9, 2014
Need a meal that is light on the wallet but heavy on the flavor? This is the recipe for you! Combine ground beef with dry onion soup mix-an instant flavor enhancer--and some creamy mushroom soup for an easy casserole. Rice is the perfect base for this dish, filling out the texture of the recipe while absorbing the flavors of the onion and ground beef for a juicy dinner!
Recipe says "uncooked rice" but doesn't say if you need to brown hamburger. That would be a helpful detail. I am making it for supper and trying it without browning hamburger, like meatloaf.
March 21, 2014
I also only used half a packet of onion soup mix to cut down on saltiness.
March 21, 2014
Made this when I was feeling extremely lazy but starving...used ground pork, no onion, added garlic powder and a can of mushrooms and it came out great, hit the spot, was very filling. I ate with a dollop of sour cream. Thanks for posting.
November 1, 2013
I sauteed the onion and rice in butter first then added to other ingredients. I used monterey jack cheese as it didn't specify what kind of cheese to use.
July 2, 2013
I brown the ground beef with the onion first and stir in some fresh sliced mushrooms. I use half a packet of onion soup mix to cut the saltiness down a bit.
I liked the recipe and the concept, and thought I would do a little combining of my style and some of the ones mentioned in the reviews. I added garlic powder, onion powder, and a little black pepper. I used a small box of rice aroni, it was only cooked for 15 minutes that way it would be really moist. I added 1/2 cup of cream, to the can of mushroom soup and I used turkey meat which I browned first, (2) lbs. with 2 pkgs. of the Lipton mix. So hopefully it will be turkeytastic!
August 22, 2012
Very good !! Made a few touches of my own! I added garlic and onion powder and browned the meat and onion first !! Very good !! Thanks for the recipe
August 17, 2012
Very good! I added a large can of mushrooms, substituted wild rice for white rice and added a little extra water.
April 6, 2012
This recipe was so easy and my whole family LOVED it! I wasn't sure about the ground beef, so I browned it before mixing it with the other ingredients. Also, I didn't have an onion, so just left that out. My husband and my kids loved this and are already telling me to make it again soon.