Cozy Cheddar-Crusted Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe

Comfort food takes a delightful twist with this cheddar-crusted ground beef and rice casserole that satisfies every craving.

Melted cheese blankets a rich, savory filling of perfectly seasoned meat and fluffy rice.

The golden-brown crust promises a crispy exterior that gives way to a creamy, hearty interior.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet delicious solutions like this crowd-pleasing dish.

Each forkful delivers a symphony of flavors that warms both body and soul.

Families will gather around the table, eager to dive into this irresistible meal that turns ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Prepare to be amazed by how quickly this casserole becomes a new dinnertime favorite.

How to Build the Perfect Cheddar-Crusted Beef Casserole

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F and give your baking dish a quick spray of cooking oil.

• Brown the Beef

Toss ground beef into a hot skillet, breaking it into bite-sized pieces. Invite onions, peppers, and garlic to the party, sizzling until everything looks deliciously golden.

• Mix and Mingle

Stir uncooked rice into the meaty mixture. Pour in broth and tomatoes, creating a flavor-packed base that’ll make taste buds dance.

• First Baking Round

Cover the casserole with foil and let it hang out in the oven for about 35 minutes. The rice will soften and soak up all those incredible flavors.

• Cheese It Up

Sprinkle a generous layer of cheddar cheese mixed with buttery breadcrumbs across the top. This is where the happens.

• Final Sizzle

Slide the casserole back into the oven, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes. Watch the cheese transform into a crispy, golden crown.

• Rest and Serve

Let the casserole catch its breath for 5 minutes before diving in. Enjoy your flavor-packed meal!

Tips to Get That Cheddar Crust Just Right

• Rinse rice before cooking to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separated grains that prevent a mushy texture in the casserole.
• Choose lean ground beef (85% or 90%) to reduce excess fat while maintaining rich flavor and preventing a greasy dish.
• Swap panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the crunchy topping.
• Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a vegetarian version, maintaining the casserole's hearty texture and protein content. Consider adding extra mushrooms or zucchini for additional depth and nutrition.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or smoked gouda to create unique flavor profiles, transforming the classic recipe into a personalized comfort food experience.

Serve Beef and Rice Casserole for Family Meals

• Hearty Family Feast: Serve this casserole as a complete meal with loved ones gathered around the dinner table, enjoying its warm, comforting flavors.
• Fresh Salad Sidekick: Pair the casserole with a crisp green salad topped with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy dish.
• Veggie Boost: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions for added color and a burst of fresh flavor that complements the savory beef and cheese.
• Quick Weeknight Leftover: Store any remaining casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating in the oven to maintain the crispy cheese topping and keep the rice moist.

Store Cheddar Beef Casserole for Reheating Later

• Store leftover casserole in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The flavors actually intensify overnight, making next-day meals super delicious.
• Divide casserole into individual serving portions before freezing. Wrap each portion tightly in freezer-safe wrap, keeping meals ready for quick reheating within 3 months.
• Warm refrigerated portions in microwave for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of beef broth to maintain moisture. Alternatively, reheat in oven at 350°F covered with foil to prevent drying out.
• Prepare entire casserole up to cheese topping stage one day ahead. Keep covered in refrigerator, then add cheese crumb layer just before baking for maximum freshness and crispy texture.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives for a different flavor profile.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, the panko breadcrumbs contain gluten. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers as a substitute.

• How can I make this dish spicier?

Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture to increase the heat level according to your preference.

• Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole up to the point of adding the cheese topping, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients for Cheddar-Crusted Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein foundation that brings robust flavor and satisfying texture to the dish, selecting lean cuts ensures less grease and more meaty goodness.
• Beef Broth: Enhances meat's richness and adds deep savory undertones, choose low-sodium versions for better flavor control.

• Onion: Provides sweet depth and aromatic foundation, fresh firm onions with no soft spots work best.
• Bell Pepper: Adds vibrant color and crisp texture, selecting bright, smooth peppers ensures maximum freshness.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, warm flavor profile, fresh cloves provide more potent taste than pre-minced options.
• Frozen Vegetables: Quick nutrition boost with convenient preparation, mixed vegetable blends offer diverse textures and colors.

• Cheddar Cheese: Creates golden, crispy crust with tangy sharpness, extra-sharp varieties provide more intense flavor.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Delivers delightful crunch and textural contrast, Japanese-style breadcrumbs offer superior crispiness.
• Butter: Helps bind breadcrumb topping and adds rich, smooth undertone, unsalted butter allows better seasoning control.

• Smoked Paprika: Introduces subtle smoky complexity, Spanish varieties offer most authentic flavor.
• Oregano: Contributes herbaceous Mediterranean notes, dried herbs concentrate more intense taste.
• Salt: Fundamental flavor enhancer, kosher salt provides cleaner seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and aromatic warmth, freshly ground pepper delivers more vibrant taste.

Tools to Bake Cheddar-Crusted Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

• Large skillet: Perfectly browns ground beef and sautés vegetables.
• 9×13-inch casserole dish: Provides ideal baking space for the entire recipe.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Mixing bowl: Combines cheese topping ingredients.
• Foil: Covers casserole during initial baking to prevent drying.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir and break up ground beef while cooking.
• Sharp knife: Chops onions and prepares ingredients.
• Cheese grater: Shreds fresh cheddar cheese if needed.

Hearty Cheddar-Crusted Ground Beef And Rice Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Ground beef mingles with rice in this hearty Cheddar-Crusted Ground Beef and Rice Casserole from midwestern home kitchens. Cheesy layers and comforting flavors promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 cup white or brown rice, uncooked
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (with juice)
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced (optional)
• 1 cup frozen corn or peas (optional)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
• 1 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Meat Browning: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, breaking it down until achieving a rich brown color while developing deep flavor complexity.
3. Vegetable Integration: Sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic into the meat, allowing them to soften and release aromatic essences for 3-4 minutes, creating a flavor foundation.
4. Seasoning Fusion: Blend smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, elevating the overall taste profile with robust and nuanced seasonings.
5. Rice and Liquid Combination: Introduce uncooked rice directly into the seasoned meat, then pour beef broth, canned tomatoes, and frozen vegetables, gently bringing the mixture to a gentle boil.
6. Initial Baking Phase: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 30-35 minutes, ensuring rice becomes perfectly tender and absorbs surrounding liquids.
7. Crispy Topping Creation: While casserole bakes, combine shredded cheddar cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and melted butter to craft a golden, crunchy exterior.
8. Final Baking and Finishing: Remove foil, sprinkle cheese mixture evenly across the surface, and return to oven for 10-12 minutes until topping transforms into a bubbling, golden crust.
9. Resting and Serving: Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven, enabling ingredients to settle and flavors to harmonize before presenting a delectable, comforting meal.

Notes

Select High-Quality Beef: Choose lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to prevent excessive grease pooling and ensure a cleaner, more refined casserole texture.

Customize Vegetable Variations: Swap frozen mixed vegetables with fresh seasonal produce like zucchini, carrots, or spinach to enhance nutritional value and personal flavor preferences.

Rice Absorption Technique: Use long-grain white rice for optimal liquid absorption, and avoid stirring during baking to prevent starchy clumping and maintain ideal rice consistency.

Cheese Topping Perfection: Grate cheese fresh for superior melting quality, and mix breadcrumbs with cheese to create a crispier, more textured golden-brown crust that adds delightful crunch to the casserole.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg