The Perfect Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Rice Bake Recipe for Dinner

Cheesy beef and mushroom rice bake refines ordinary ingredients into a mouthwatering comfort meal that promises pure satisfaction.

Hearty ground beef mingles with earthy mushrooms, creating a rich and robust flavor profile that instantly warms your soul.

Tender rice absorbs the savory juices, while melted cheese blankets each delectable bite with creamy goodness.

The combination of ingredients feels like a culinary hug that satisfies deep hunger and craves for more.

Perfectly balanced textures and flavors merge in this one-pan wonder that simplifies weeknight cooking without compromising taste.

Home cooks seeking a delicious, no-fuss dinner will appreciate how quickly this dish comes together with minimal preparation.

Families and friends will gather around the table, eagerly anticipating the first steaming, cheese-covered scoop.

Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Rice Bake: A Hearty One-Dish Meal

• Create Comfort in One Dish: This hearty rice bake combines ground beef, mushrooms, and cheese into a soul-warming meal that feels like a warm hug from grandma's kitchen.
• Super Simple Weeknight Winner: Minimal prep steps and straightforward ingredients make this recipe perfect for busy families wanting a delicious dinner without complicated techniques.
• Packed with Satisfying Textures: Tender rice, juicy beef, soft mushrooms, and melted golden cheese create a mouthwatering combination that provides delightful contrast in every single bite.
• Budget-Friendly Crowd Pleaser: Using accessible ingredients like ground beef, rice, and pantry staples means you can feed multiple people without breaking the bank while delivering maximum flavor satisfaction.

Ingredients for Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Rice Bake

• Ground Beef: Rich protein source with robust flavor, choose lean cuts for healthier option.
• Milk: Adds creaminess and helps bind ingredients together, whole milk recommended for better texture.

• Cheddar Cheese: Provides sharp, tangy flavor and melty texture, sharp variety works best.
• Sour Cream: Adds richness and creamy consistency to the dish.
• Butter: Helps sauté vegetables and creates smooth base for cooking.

• Rice: Main carbohydrate component, long-grain white rice preferred for best results.
• Italian Seasoning: Offers herb blend for enhanced savory flavor profile.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance overall taste.

• Onions: Provides aromatic base and natural sweetness to the dish.
• Garlic: Adds depth and intense flavor to the recipe.
• Mushrooms: Earthy ingredient that adds texture and umami taste.
• Beef Broth: Creates liquid base and adds additional meaty flavor.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds creamy texture and additional mushroom flavor.

How to Make Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Rice Bake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper

Cook until the meat is fully browned. Drain excess grease and set aside on a plate, covering with foil.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

Melt butter in the same pot. Add diced onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Toss in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 4: Cook the Rice

Pour beef broth into the pot and bring to a boil. Add uncooked rice, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, cover again, and cook for another 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 10 minutes to finish cooking.

Step 5: Combine Creamy Ingredients

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Milk
• Sour cream
• Half of the cheddar cheese

Stir until everything is well combined.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Grab a big spoon and dig into this comforting, cheesy beef and mushroom rice bake!

Best Tips for Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Rice Bake

• Drain Beef Thoroughly: Pat ground beef with paper towels to remove maximum grease for a lighter, less oily dish.
• Rice Texture Trick: Let rice rest covered off heat to absorb remaining moisture and achieve perfectly fluffy consistency.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Grate cheese fresh for smoother melting and more even coverage across the casserole.
• Mushroom Moisture Control: Pat mushrooms dry before adding to prevent excess liquid from making the dish watery.
• Seasoning Boost: Toast Italian seasoning briefly in the pot before adding to ground beef to intensify its aromatic flavors.

Storing and Reheating Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Rice Bake

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup and bacterial growth. Properly stored, the casserole will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in the oven at 350F, covered with foil, for 20-25 minutes. Add a splash of beef broth or milk to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir halfway through reheating to ensure even temperature distribution.

Pairing Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Rice Bake with Salad

• Boost Beef Flavor with Red Wine: Pair this hearty casserole with a medium-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. The wine's robust tannins complement the rich, meaty flavors of the beef and enhance the dish's overall depth.
• Cool Down with Crisp Salad: Serve a fresh green salad with tangy vinaigrette on the side. The bright, acidic notes will cut through the creamy, cheesy rice bake and provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, comforting main dish.
• Roasted Veggie Sidekick: Prepare roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts as a side dish. The caramelized, slightly charred vegetables will add a delightful textural element and nutritional balance to the creamy rice bake.
• Smooth Out with Chilled Beer: Grab a cold, light lager or pale ale to accompany this dish. The beer's crisp and slightly bitter profile will help cleanse the palate between bites of the rich, cheesy casserole.

Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Rice Bake Variations to Try

• Spicy Southwest Rice Casserole: Replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning. Add diced green chiles, black beans, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Herb Rice Bake: Use ground lamb instead of beef. Mix in crumbled feta, chopped spinach, and swap cream of mushroom soup for Greek yogurt. Season with oregano and rosemary for Mediterranean flair.
• Chicken and Wild Rice Edition: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken. Include a mix of wild and white rice. Add roasted asparagus or peas for extra vegetable richness and nutrition.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Rice Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based meat crumbles or extra sautéed mushrooms. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Incorporate roasted bell peppers and add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor profile.

Cheesy Beef And Mushroom Rice Bake Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Rice Bake combines savory ground beef, earthy mushrooms, and melted cheese in a comforting one-pan meal. Rich flavors and creamy texture promise a satisfying dinner that pulls your family together around the table.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1 lb (453 g) ground beef, 85% lean

Seasonings:

• 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Rice and Vegetables:

• 1 cup uncooked white long grain rice, not instant
• 1 cup onions, diced
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 8 ounces (226 g) sliced button mushrooms, washed

Liquids and Dairy:

• 2 cups beef broth
• 10.5 ounces (298 g) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup milk, any kind
• 1 cup sour cream

Fats and Cheese:

• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, divided

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and lightly coat a 9 × 13 inch (23 × 33 centimeter) baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet, thoroughly brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, seasoning with Italian herbs, kosher salt, and black pepper during cooking. Drain excess fat and set meat aside.
3. Using the same skillet, melt unsalted butter and sauté finely chopped onions until translucent and soft, approximately 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 60 seconds.
4. Pour beef broth into the skillet and bring to a rapid boil. Introduce uncooked long-grain rice, reduce heat to low, and cover. Simmer for 10 minutes, then fold in sliced mushrooms. Continue cooking, covered, for another 5-7 minutes.
5. Allow rice mixture to rest, covered, for 10 minutes off the heat to complete cooking process.
6. Incorporate cooked ground beef, condensed cream of mushroom soup, whole milk, sour cream, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the rice mixture, stirring until thoroughly combined.
7. Transfer combined ingredients to prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle remaining cheese across the top.
8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and becomes golden and bubbly.

Notes

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Brown ground beef and sauté onions in advance to cut down total cooking time and simplify meal preparation.
• Moisture Management: Draining excess beef grease ensures a perfectly textured dish without unnecessary oiliness.
• Rice Cooking Technique: Follow precise simmering instructions to achieve perfectly tender rice that absorbs all the delicious flavors.
• Cheese Layer Magic: Reserving half the cheese for topping creates a gorgeous golden, melted crust that makes the dish visually appealing.
• Versatile Vegetable Swap: Easily substitute mushrooms with zucchini or bell peppers for a personalized twist on this comforting casserole.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimize cleanup by using the same pot for multiple cooking stages, making this recipe a convenient weeknight meal solution.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 532 cal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg