Cozy Cheesy Ranch Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe

Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering ranch ground beef and rice casserole that promises to satisfy your deepest hunger pangs.

Melted cheese creates a golden blanket over tender beef and fluffy rice, making every single bite irresistible.

Weeknight dinners can feel mundane, but this recipe breaks through that monotony with bold ranch seasoning.

Home cooks searching for a quick and delicious meal will appreciate how effortlessly this dish comes together.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of savory meat, creamy cheese, and hearty rice that feels like a warm embrace.

Simple ingredients blend into something extraordinary, proving that delicious meals don’t require complicated techniques.

What to Serve with Beef and Rice Casserole

• Select a light, zesty white wine with bright acidity that cuts through the casserole's richness, balancing the creamy cheese and hearty beef flavors.
• Create a light, tangy side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the dense, cheesy casserole.
• Prepare a colorful mix of roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, and zucchini seasoned with herbs to add nutritional balance and textural variety to the meal.
• Bake a warm, buttery garlic bread that allows diners to soak up the delicious sauce and adds a crunchy element to the soft, creamy casserole.

Ranch Casserole Variations You’ll Want to Try

Vegetarian Ground Beef Alternative: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or crumbled tofu, maintaining the same cooking technique and seasoning for a meat-free version.

Low-Carb Cauliflower Rice Option: Swap traditional rice with riced cauliflower to reduce carbohydrates and create a lighter, low-carb friendly meal that keeps the original flavor profile.

Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free, allowing individuals with gluten sensitivities to enjoy this comforting casserole.

Spicy Southwest Variation: Add diced green chilies, swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, and top with sliced jalapeños to create a zesty, southwestern-inspired version of the original recipe.

Why Ranch Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Is Comforting

• Ground beef and rice casserole offers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it a go-to meal for busy families.
• Prepare this one-pan wonder in under an hour, transforming simple ingredients into a satisfying, hearty meal that everyone will love.
• Packed with cheesy goodness and ranch-inspired flavors, this casserole appeals to both kids and adults, turning dinnertime into a delightful experience.
• Customize the recipe by swapping ingredients or adding extra vegetables, making it perfect for using up pantry staples and reducing food waste.

What You’ll Need for Beef and Rice Bake

• Ground Beef: Rich base protein for the casserole, provides hearty flavor and substantial texture.
• Onions: Adds depth and sweetness to the meat mixture, enhancing overall taste.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic flavor and complements the beef.

• Sour Cream, Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates a creamy, rich sauce that binds ingredients together.
• Shredded Cheese: Adds melty, gooey texture and sharp flavor, perfect for topping and mixing.

• Uncooked Rice: Serves as the main starch, absorbs flavors and creates a filling base.
• Beef Broth: Provides moisture and additional savory depth to the rice and meat.
• Italian Seasoning: Adds herbal complexity to the dish.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors.

• Fresh Parsley, Green Onions: Adds fresh color and bright finish to the casserole.

Steps for a Ranch Casserole

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray or butter coating to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

• Beef turns completely brown
• Onions become soft and translucent
• Garlic gets added and sizzles for a minute

Drain away any extra grease.

Step 3: Mix the Magic

• Uncooked rice
• Beef broth
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Sour cream
• Italian seasoning
• Half the shredded cheese

Stir everything together and season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Step 4: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.

Step 5: First Bake

Slide the covered dish into the oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes until rice is tender and liquid has disappeared.

Step 6: Cheese Finale

Pull out the dish, remove the foil, and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Return to the oven uncovered for 5-10 minutes until cheese melts and gets gloriously bubbly.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Optional: Scatter some fresh parsley or chopped green onions on top. Serve piping hot and watch everyone dig in!

Tips for Even Cooking and Bold Flavor

• Drain Beef Thoroughly: Remove excess grease completely to prevent a soggy casserole and ensure a crisp, delicious texture.
• Customize Rice Choice: Swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa to boost nutritional value and add a nutty flavor profile.
• Reduce Sodium Smartly: Use low-sodium beef broth and cream of mushroom soup to control salt intake without sacrificing taste.
• Prep Ahead Perfectly: Assemble the casserole in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready for an easy weeknight dinner solution.
• Boost Vegetable Content: Mix in frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, or corn to increase nutritional value and add colorful texture to the dish.

Storage Tips for Casserole That Stays

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of beef broth to prevent dryness. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Spread leftovers in a baking dish, sprinkle extra cheese on top. Cover with foil and warm at 350F for 15-20 minutes. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Cheesy Ranch Ground Beef And Rice Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty comfort meets zesty flavor in this Cheesy Ranch Ground Beef and Rice Casserole, blending savory beef, creamy cheese, and tangy ranch seasoning. Homemade goodness beckons you to savor each comforting, cheesy bite of this satisfying midweek meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (453 grams) ground beef (85% lean)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup sliced mushrooms (optional)

Grains, Liquid, and Dairy:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 2 ½ cups beef broth
• 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Seasonings:

• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cooking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with grease and heat the oven to 350F (175C), creating an ideal environment for the upcoming culinary creation.
2. Transform ground beef in a spacious skillet over medium heat, sautéing with diced onions until meat browns and vegetables soften, approximately 5-7 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and continue cooking momentarily, then eliminate excess fat through careful draining.
3. Integrate uncooked rice, savory beef broth, creamy mushroom soup, tangy sour cream, aromatic Italian seasoning, and half the shredded cheese into the skillet. Blend ingredients thoroughly, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance flavor profile.
4. Transfer the robust mixture into the prepared baking dish, securing the top completely with aluminum foil to trap moisture and promote even cooking.
5. Allow the casserole to bake for 40-45 minutes, monitoring until rice reaches perfect tenderness and liquid disappears into the delectable mixture.
6. Reveal the casserole, generously distribute remaining cheese across the surface, and return to the oven. Bake uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbling landscape.
7. Elevate the presentation by garnishing with fresh parsley or finely chopped green onions, then serve the steaming dish immediately to capture maximum flavor and texture.

Notes

• Select lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and maintain a healthier dish without compromising flavor.
• Opt for low-sodium beef broth and cream of mushroom soup to control salt content for those watching sodium intake.
• Consider swapping white rice with brown rice or quinoa for added nutrition and a more complex grain profile.
• Prepare casserole ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg