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–+ servings

Easy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole (No Canned Soup!)

A spoonful of cheesy ground beef and rice casserole being lifted from a white baking dish.
A wholesome, from-scratch comfort meal that replaces processed "cream of" soups with savory aromatics and rich beef broth. This one-pan wonder features perfectly fluffy no-boil rice and a golden melted cheddar crust.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

The Skillet Base

  • 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (90/10)
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Yellow Onion medium, diced
  • 5 Garlic cloves minced
  • 1 can Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz, well-drained

The Casserole Body

  • 1.5 cups Uncooked Long-Grain White Rice
  • 3 cups Beef Broth Bone Broth preferred
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian Herbs
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste

The Topping

  • 2 cups Shredded Cheese
  • Scallions for garnishing

Instructions

  • Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Important: Drain the excess fat using a slotted spoon or paper towel.
    ground beef in a pan
  • Sauté Aromatics: To the same skillet, add the diced onion, drained tomatoes, and garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until the onions are soft and fragrant.
    diced onion, tomatoes and garlic sauteeing in a pan
  • Assemble: In a 9x13 baking dish, combine the beef mixture, uncooked rice, beef broth, paprika, and Italian herbs. Stir well to ensure the spices and rice are evenly distributed.
    cooked ground beef, onion, tomatoes, garlic and uncooked rice, beef broth in an oven proof pan
  • The Steam Phase: Cover the dish tightly with a layer of aluminum foil, crimping the edges to create a perfect seal. Bake for 35 minutes.
    ground beef and rice casserole cooked
  • The Cheesy Finish: Carefully remove the foil and fluff the rice with a fork. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
    ground beef and rice casserole with shredded cheese on top
  • Final Bake: Cover and return the dish to the oven. Bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
    cooked ground beef and rice casserole with melted cheese on top
  • Rest: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow the starches to set for perfect portions. Garnish with diced scallions or parsley.
    close-up of ground beef and rice casserole recipe

Notes

  • The Foil Seal: A tight seal is mandatory for no-boil rice; if steam escapes, the rice will remain crunchy.
  • Drain the Tomatoes: Ensure your tomatoes are well-drained to maintain the precise 2.5:1.5 liquid-to-rice ratio.