Hearty Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 cups beef broth (or water with bouillon)
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of cheddar soup (or cream of chicken as an alternative)
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika (optional)
• ½ tsp dried parsley or Italian seasoning
• Cooking spray or butter for greasing

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Add the minced garlic in the last 1-2 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Stir in the uncooked rice, beef broth, both cans of soup, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and seasonings. Mix until everything is well combined.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly. Cover tightly with foil.
5. Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
6. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese on top, and return to the oven uncovered for 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Enjoy your warm and cheesy comfort meal! Let me know if you want a variation, like adding veggies or swapping in brown rice.