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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Allow rice mixture to rest, covered, for 10 minutes off the heat to complete cooking process.
- 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.
- Transfer combined ingredients to prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle remaining cheese across the top.
- 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