Made with ground beef, rice, and a creamy sauce, this Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole recipe makes a great meal for a busy night! The oven does most of the work, so you don't have to spend all evening in the kitchen. The whole family will enjoy it!
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Why you'll love this recipe
One of my favorite parts about this casserole is that once you get it into the oven, then it's hand-off!
Because it's made with simple ingredients there's no need to run to the grocery store! It's a great pantry meal because you'll have most of these ingredients on hand.
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- Lean ground beef - Not a fan of ground beef? That's okay! Swap out the beef for ground turkey, and you will have a lighter meal.
- yellow or white onion
- Ranch dressing mix (the powdered mix) though I've also used Montreal steak seasoning. Both are great!
- long grain rice
- Cream of mushroom soup and cheddar cheese soup, in a pinch you could use cream of chicken. This would be especially good if you're using ground turkey or chicken instead of the ground beef.
- evaporated milk
- French fried onions - we love that crispy topping. You could also use buttery bread crumbs or crushed ritz crackers
- cheddar cheese
Want to add some vegetables to your casserole so you have an all-in-one meal? Saute some chopped onions and diced bell peppers in a skillet with a small amount of oil or butter until softened. Then add it to your ground beef mixture.
Instructions
This is a photo overview of the instructions. For complete written directions, scroll down to the bottom.
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Equipment
- large skillet
- 9x13 casseorle dish
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FAQ's
No, this recipes uses uncooked rice. The rice will cook in the oven.
The creamy sauce is the binder in this casserole. Also, if you ask me the rich and creamy sauce is what makes THIS casserole so tasty!
Top Tip
If your rice is not cooked that means that the foil was not tightly sealed enough that the rice was able to steam. So, make sure that you seal the foil tightly so that steam can build up.
- Be sure to spray your casserole dish well with nonstick cooking spray. Or you can grease your dish with butter or shortening.
- Use uncooked long-grain white rice, not instant or minute rice.
Storage
Refrigerate - Store leftovers of this cheesy ground beef casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer - One great thing about the Cheesy Ranch Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is that it freezes great! Allow the casserole to cool completely, and then wrap it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheat - Reheat this hamburger rice casserole recipe in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 - 20 minutes. Or you can reheat individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warm all the through. If you find that your casserole is a little dry add a splash of beef broth or water to increase the moisture.
Related recipes
- Are you looking for another cheesy casserole recipe to add to your meal plan this week? Well, I have the perfect recipe for you! Ravioli Casserole is super easy to make, and it's also kid-friendly!
- This Creamy Beef Noodle Casserole is another one of my favorite recipes to make when I need something filling. Not only is it hearty but it's also filling and delicious.
- Are you looking for another savory ground beef dinner to make on busy weeknights? If so, check out this Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Even picky eaters will love this easy dinner.
Serve with
- Turn this hearty casserole into a complete meal by pairing it with a simple salad like this Outback Wedge Salad or your favorite fresh vegetable such as these Steamed Green Beans.
- If your family is like mine and always wants a bread side to pair with your meal. then you will want to give these Easy Yeast Rolls a try. They are great for beginners so you don't need any special skills.
- I don't know about you but I love to enjoy a sweet treat after a meal like this. And, this better than sex cake is one of my favorite recipes to make when I am craving a rich chocolate treat after dinner.
If your family loves delicious casseroles and you make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you left me a rating to let me know that you enjoyed it!
Cheesy Ranch Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ onion diced
- 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix that's the packet mix, not the premade dressing.
- 1 cup long grain rice uncooked
- 10.5 ounce cream of mushroom soup
- 10.5 ounce cheddar cheese soup
- 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup fried onions
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare non-stick
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess grease if desired. Add ranch seasoning mix and onions. Fry until onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the uncooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese soup, evaporated milk and water. Stir to combine. Top with shredded cheese and fried onions.
- Transfer the rice meat mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Cover with heavy duty aluminum foil and seal well. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 55 minutes.
- Remove the foil and place the casserole back into the oven to bake for five minutes. To brown the top of the casserole, place it under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Watch it carefully so it doesn't burn.
- Allow to sit loosely covered wtih foil for 10 minutes prior to serving.
Penny Lowe says
Can I use 2 percent milk in of evaporated milk and also instead of cream of cheddar soup
Can I just use 2 cans of cream of mushroom
Debra Clark says
Those are great substitutes Penny and I think it would taste amazing! I'd probably add a little more shredded cheese to make sure it's good and cheesy. Enjoy the recipe!
Lois says
I’m making this tonight. Just sounds so good. Thank you