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Easy Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe for One-Pot Comfort Meals

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A quick and easy one-pot casserole combining ground beef, rice, and melted cheddar cheese for a comforting and hearty meal perfect for solo dining or scaling up.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1/2 cup (90 g) uncooked white rice (long grain or jasmine)
  • 1/4 cup (40 g) diced onion (yellow or white)
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) beef broth (low sodium recommended)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 1-2 minutes.
  2. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté, stirring often, until translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  4. Season with salt, pepper, and dried Italian seasoning. Stir well to distribute flavors.
  5. Stir in uncooked white rice, beef broth, and tomato sauce. Mix thoroughly.
  6. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a lid and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top. Cover again and let stand for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
  8. Fluff gently with a fork, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot.

Notes

If rice isn’t tender after 20 minutes, add a splash more broth or water, cover, and cook a few minutes longer. Drain excess grease to avoid sogginess. Keep the lid on during simmering to cook rice properly. For extra gooeyness, stir half the cheese in before simmering and sprinkle the rest on top at the end. Can be customized with vegetables, different cheeses, or substitutions for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef casserole, cheesy casserole, one-pot meal, comfort food, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, rice casserole

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/easy-cheesy-beef-and-rice-casserole-recipe-for-one-pot-comfort-meals/