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Comforting Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

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A warm, cheesy casserole combining ground beef, tender rice, and sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for family dinners and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice (long grain or jasmine)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 7 oz)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a saucepan, combine rice and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
  3. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; cook 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant without browning.
  4. Add ground beef to skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook 6-8 minutes until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Cook 2 more minutes to deepen flavors.
  6. In a separate small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute until bubbly but not browned. Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly until thickened (3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, beef mixture, and cheese sauce. Stir gently until evenly coated.
  8. Pour mixture into a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and cheese on top is golden and slightly crisp.
  10. Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Rinse rice to remove excess starch and prevent gumminess. Drain excess fat from beef to avoid greasiness. Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting. Cook cheese sauce slowly while whisking to avoid lumps. Avoid overbaking to keep casserole moist. You can broil for last 2 minutes for extra golden cheese topping. Make ahead by prepping beef and rice mixture a day before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy beef casserole, beef and rice casserole, family dinner recipe, easy casserole, comfort food, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/comforting-cheesy-beef-and-rice-casserole-easy-recipe-for-family-dinners/