Description
Cheesy beef and rice delight combines hearty ground beef with creamy rice in a comforting one-pan meal. Mexican-inspired spices elevate this simple dinner, promising satisfaction for home cooks seeking delicious comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef, 85% lean
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 ¼ cups white long grain rice (not instant)
- 10.5 oz (298 g) cream of mushroom soup
- 8 oz (227 g) sliced button mushrooms, washed
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 3 tbsps butter, divided
- ¾ cup onions, diced
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1.5 tsps Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F, establishing the perfect thermal environment for the upcoming culinary creation.
- Meat Foundation: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef thoroughly, seasoning with herbs and spices. Drain excess fat, then set aside the meat momentarily.
- Aromatic Base: Using the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onions until translucent. Add garlic, stirring to release its intense fragrance and create a flavor-packed base.
- Rice Infusion: Introduce beef broth, butter, and uncooked rice to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, allowing rice to absorb the liquid completely. Gently fold in mushrooms during the final cooking stages.
- Creamy Integration: Once rice is tender, combine the reserved beef with the rice mixture. Blend in cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, and half the cheddar cheese, creating a luxurious, cohesive mixture.
- Baking Finale: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top with remaining cheese, and cover with foil. Bake until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling masterpiece, transforming the casserole into a comforting, irresistible dish.
Notes
- Meat Browning Tip: Ensure ground beef is thoroughly browned to develop deep, rich flavor and eliminate excess fat for a healthier dish.
- Rice Absorption Technique: Let rice rest after cooking to prevent sticking and achieve perfectly separated grains with ideal texture.
- Cheese Melting Strategy: Cover with foil initially to prevent burning, allowing cheese to melt evenly and create a golden, bubbling top.
- Temperature Control: Maintain consistent oven temperature at 350°F to ensure even cooking and prevent dried-out casserole edges.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 464
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 960 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 97 mg