Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

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If you need an easy dinner idea that you can throw together with basic ingredients, this cheesy ground beef and rice casserole is such a good one. It’s made with seasoned ground beef, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, creamy rice, and plenty of melty cheese on top. Everything comes together in one casserole dish and bakes until the rice is tender and full of flavor.

I made this for dinner, and my kids absolutely loved it! It’s filling, family-friendly, and made with simple ingredients that I usually already have in my kitchen. Plus, the rice cooks right in the casserole dish with the beef, vegetables, broth, and seasonings, so it soaks up all those great flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Family-friendly: This was a hit with my kids and is mild enough for picky eaters.
• Easy to make: After a little stovetop prep, the oven does most of the work.
• A complete meal: You’ve got beef, vegetables, rice, and cheese all baked into one hearty casserole.

Ingredients

• 2 bell peppers, cubed – Use any color you like. I love using two different colors to make the casserole a little more colorful.
• 1 large onion, diced – A yellow or white onion works perfectly.
• 6 garlic cloves, minced – I know six sounds like a lot, but trust me! Fresh garlic adds so much flavor.
• 1 pound ground beef – I like lean ground beef for this recipe. If there’s a lot of excess grease after browning it, drain it before adding the beef to the casserole.
• 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes – This adds tomato flavor and helps keep the rice moist without making the casserole taste like tomato sauce.
• 2 cups uncooked white rice – Use regular long grain white rice
• 3 ½ cups beef broth – The uncooked rice absorbs the chicken broth as it bakes, giving you flavorful, tender rice. Chicken broth can also be used.
• ½ cup heavy cream – Just enough to make the rice rich and creamy without needing cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash seasoning
• 2 cups shredded cheese – Use your favorite melting cheese. Cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a combination of cheeses would all work well.
• Fresh cilantro or fresh parsley – Either one is great for adding a little freshness before serving.
• Sour cream, for serving – Optional, but highly recommended! This is my favorite way to serve it.

How to Make Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

I like to combine all the seasonings into a small bowl. 

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about a minute, stirring occasionally.

Add the cubed bell peppers and half of the seasonings. Give everything a good stir and continue cooking until the peppers and onion begin to soften.

Add the minced garlic toward the end. I like adding fresh garlic last because it only needs a short amount of time to cook. Let it cook just until fragrant, then transfer the vegetable mixture to a large bowl.

Return the same skillet to the stove, then add 1 tablespoon of oil, add in the ground beef and the remaining half of the seasonings. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Continue cooking until the beef is browned and cooked through. If necessary, drain off any excess grease.

Add the cooked ground beef to the large bowl with the peppers and onions.

Now add the crushed tomatoes, uncooked rice, broth, and heavy cream. Mix everything really well, making sure the rice and beef mixture are evenly distributed.

Transfer everything to a large casserole dish and spread it into an even layer.

Cover and bake at 400°F for about 35 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and tender. Depending on your oven and the type of white rice you use, the cooking time can vary slightly, so check the rice before adding your cheese.

Once the rice is tender, sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheese evenly over the top.

Place the casserole back into the oven just until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly and golden. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving, then sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley.

My Favorite Way to Serve It

I always add a spoonful of sour cream to my bowl. It adds a cool, creamy bite that goes perfectly with the warm beef, tomatoes, rice, and melted cheese.

You really don’t need much else because this ground beef casserole is already a complete meal. But if you want something on the side, a southwest chicken dip salad is delicious, or honey-roasted carrots would be perfect.

Can I Use a Different Ground Meat?

Yes! Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for the ground beef.

Ground beef is my favorite because it adds a lot of savory flavor to the casserole, but this is also an easy recipe to adjust based on what you already have in the refrigerator.

If you’re using extra-lean ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken, you may want to add a small drizzle of olive oil to your skillet before browning the meat.

What Kind of Rice Works Best?

I recommend regular long-grain white rice for this recipe, but you can use any white rice. 

I wouldn’t substitute instant rice or Minute Rice without adjusting the recipe. Those types of rice cook much faster and don’t need as much liquid.

Brown rice is also not a direct substitute because it usually needs more liquid and a longer cooking time.

Jasmine rice should work, but keep an eye on it toward the end of baking since different types of rice can vary slightly in cooking time. No matter which regular white rice you choose, you want it to be completely tender before adding the cheese.

How to Store Leftovers

If you have leftovers, let the casserole cool and transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Rice naturally absorbs moisture as it sits in the refrigerator, so if your leftovers seem a little dry, add a small splash of chicken broth before reheating.

Then add some fresh sour cream on top, and it’s almost as good as the first night.

An Easy Dinner for Busy Weeknights

This cheesy ground beef and rice casserole is exactly the kind of dinner I love making for my family. It’s easy, filling, made with basic ingredients, and doesn’t require making a bunch of separate sides to turn it into a complete meal.

The bell peppers and onions add plenty of flavor, the rice cooks right alongside the seasoned beef, and that layer of golden, melty cheese on top brings everything together.

Best of all, my kids loved it. And when the whole family eats the same dinner without me having to make something different for anyone, I’m definitely making that recipe again! If you love casseroles, try our creamy chicken and broccoli casserole; our kids also love that one!