CHEESY GROUND BEEF RICE CASSEROLE

CHEESY GROUND BEEF RICE CASSEROLE

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Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 2 onions, diced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 small can tomato sauce (about 8 oz)
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or a blend works well)
  • Salt, pepper, and oregano to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Equipment:

  • Skillet
  • Casserole dish
  • Cooking spray
  • Oven

Instructions:

Preparing the Beef Mixture:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 250°F (120°C) to preheat while you prepare the rest of the dish.
  2. Cook the Onions: Spray a skillet with cooking spray and heat it over high heat. Add the diced onions and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften and turn translucent.
  3. Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Sprinkle in the garlic powder. Cook until the beef is thoroughly browned, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.
  4. Season: Reduce heat to medium and season the beef mixture with salt, pepper, and oregano to taste.

Combining Ingredients:

  1. Add Other Ingredients: Stir in the frozen peas, cooked rice, tomato sauce, half of the cheese (1 cup), and chicken broth. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure that the ingredients are well combined and the flavors meld together.

Baking the Casserole:

  1. Transfer to Casserole Dish: Pour the beef and rice mixture into a greased casserole dish. Spread it out evenly.
  2. First Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the mixture is heated through and begins to bubble at the edges.

Adding the Creamy Topping:

  1. Mix Sour Cream and Cheese: While the casserole is baking, in a bowl, whisk together the sour cream and the remaining 1 cup of cheese until smooth.
  2. Add to Casserole: Remove the casserole from the oven after the first bake. Spread the sour cream and cheese mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
  3. Second Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

Serving:

  1. Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot.

Tips:

  • Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms during the sautéing step for added flavor and texture.
  • Cheese Options: Experiment with different types of cheese like mozzarella for a stringy texture or a spicy pepper jack to add a little kick.

This hearty casserole is perfect for a family dinner and is designed to be both satisfying and easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a comforting weekend meal. Enjoy your cooking!

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