Description
A mouthwatering dish that combines savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and a rich, golden cheddar cheese topping. This comforting casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup uncooked rice (white or brown)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
- Salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder to taste
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crunch)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, then drain excess fat.
- In the same skillet, sauté chopped onions and bell peppers (if using) for about 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cooked ground beef, sautéed vegetables, uncooked rice, tomato sauce, and sour cream. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder to taste. Mix well.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Customize with additional veggies or spices as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: casserole, ground beef, cheddar crust, rice bake, easy dinner