Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Beef and Rice Bake—an easy, one-dish dinner that's packed with flavor and perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring seasoned ground beef, tender white rice, and a savory tomato base all topped with gooey melted cheddar cheese, this casserole is as satisfying as it is simple to prepare. A blend of Italian seasoning, garlic, and paprika adds a delicious depth of flavor, while green onions provide an optional fresh garnish for a vibrant finishing touch. Ready in just under an hour, this family-friendly recipe is ideal for feeding a crowd and makes reheating leftovers a breeze. Perfectly craveable and crowd-pleasing, this cheesy casserole will become a repeat favorite in your dinner rotation!
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it is browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Stir in the uncooked rice, beef broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Transfer the rice and beef mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Optional: Sprinkle the top with sliced green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Calories |
2804 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 156.4 g | 201% | |
| Saturated Fat | 81.5 g | 408% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 563 mg | 188% | |
| Sodium | 5383 mg | 234% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 201.3 g | 73% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.9 g | 39% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.6 g | ||
| Protein | 158.5 g | 317% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1877 mg | 144% | |
| Iron | 14.6 mg | 81% | |
| Potassium | 2862 mg | 61% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.