The ultimate comfort food—creamy, cheesy, hearty, and perfect for busy weeknights.
If you’re craving a warm, satisfying, and budget-friendly meal that feeds a crowd, look no further than this cheesy ground beef and rice casserole. Made with simple pantry staples like ground beef, rice, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese, this dish is a go-to favorite for families everywhere.
It’s a one-dish wonder that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor—perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or meal prep. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with comforting textures, this casserole is sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Casserole
- Easy to make: No fancy tools or hard-to-find ingredients.
- Family-approved: Kids and adults alike can’t resist the cheesy goodness.
- Perfect for leftovers: Holds up beautifully for next-day lunches or freezer meals.
- Customizable: Add your favorite veggies, swap proteins, or mix up the cheese.
🛒 Ingredients Overview
✅ Ground Beef
Use 85% lean ground beef for the best flavor-to-fat ratio. It’s rich and hearty without being greasy. You can also swap in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
✅ Italian Seasoning + Salt & Pepper
A blend of dried herbs adds classic flavor depth. No Italian seasoning? Use oregano, basil, and thyme.
✅ Butter & Onion
Sautéing onions in butter brings out sweetness and richness, the perfect base for this dish.
✅ Garlic
A small amount of fresh minced garlic adds savory aroma and depth—don’t skip it!
✅ Beef Broth
Used to cook the rice directly in the pot, giving it a savory, beefy flavor.
✅ White Long Grain Rice (Uncooked)
Cooks in the broth for full flavor infusion. Avoid instant rice, which becomes mushy.
✅ Mushrooms
Button mushrooms add earthy texture. Feel free to use cremini or portobello if preferred.
✅ Cream of Mushroom Soup
This creamy staple ties the casserole together. Store-bought works fine, but homemade is a great option too.
✅ Milk & Sour Cream
Adds rich, tangy creaminess. Feel free to substitute Greek yogurt or non-dairy alternatives if needed.
✅ Cheddar Cheese
The star of the show! Use sharp cheddar for bold flavor, or mix in mozzarella or Monterey Jack for variety.
🍳 How to Make Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
1️⃣ Prep Oven & Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13” baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
2️⃣ Brown the Beef
In a large skillet or pot, cook 1 lb ground beef over medium-high heat. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Once browned, drain the excess fat and set aside.
3️⃣ Sauté Onions & Garlic
In the same pot, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add ¾ cup diced onions and cook until soft (about 5 minutes). Add 1 tbsp minced garlic and sauté 1 minute more.
4️⃣ Cook Rice in Broth
Add 2½ cups beef broth and bring to a boil. Stir in 1¼ cups uncooked long grain rice, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
5️⃣ Add Mushrooms & Finish Cooking Rice
Stir in 8 oz sliced mushrooms, cover, and cook another 5–10 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let rest (covered) for 10 minutes.
6️⃣ Mix in Creamy Ingredients & Beef
Add back the cooked ground beef. Stir in:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Mix until smooth and well-combined.
7️⃣ Transfer to Baking Dish & Add Cheese Topping
Pour the mixture into your prepared dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
8️⃣ Bake Covered, Then Uncovered
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5–10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
9️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
Garnish with parsley or herbs if desired. Serve warm with a fresh side salad or roasted veggies.
🥄 Customization & Variations
➤ Protein Swaps
Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or sausage for a new twist.
➤ Vegetable Additions
Add bell peppers, spinach, peas, or carrots for extra color and nutrition.
➤ Cheese Mix-Ups
Try mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack for added flavor or spice.
➤ Gluten-Free/Dairy-Free Options
- Use gluten-free cream soup and check labels on broth.
- Replace milk, sour cream, and cheese with plant-based alternatives.
🧊 Storage & Reheating Tips
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: In the oven (covered with foil) or microwave. Add a splash of milk if it seems dry.
❓ FAQs
Can I use instant rice?
Yes, but reduce the liquid and skip the broth-cooking step. Stir it in when mixing the creamy ingredients.
Can I prep this ahead?
Absolutely! Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready. Add 5–10 minutes to bake time if cold.
How do I make it lighter?
Use ground turkey, low-fat cheese, Greek yogurt, and light cream of mushroom soup.
Is this casserole freezer-friendly?
Yes! Freeze in portions or the full pan. Thaw overnight and reheat before serving.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair this dish with:
- A green side salad
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls
📌 Pinterest Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef & Rice Casserole is the ultimate no-fuss comfort food! Packed with savory beef, mushrooms, creamy rice, and melty cheddar cheese—perfect for busy nights, potlucks, or make-ahead meals. Kid-approved and freezer-friendly! 🧀🍽️ #comfortfood #casserolerecipe #groundbeef #easyrecipes #weeknightdinner
📋 Printable Recipe Card
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
Author: Easy Recipes | Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time: 30 min | Total Time: 50 min
Servings: 6 | Calories: ~480 kcal per serving
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp butter, divided
- ¾ cup diced onions
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2½ cups beef broth
- 1¼ cups uncooked long grain white rice
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
- Brown ground beef in a large pot. Season and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt 2 tbsp butter. Sauté onions 5 min, add garlic for 1 min.
- Add beef broth. Bring to boil. Stir in rice. Simmer covered 10 min.
- Add mushrooms. Simmer covered another 5–10 min. Let rest off heat, covered, for 10 min.
- Stir in cooked beef, cream soup, milk, sour cream, and 1 cup cheese.
- Pour into baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Cover and bake 20 min. Uncover and bake 5–10 more min until bubbly.
- Serve hot, garnished with herbs if desired.