Description
This hearty French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole combines savory browned ground beef, fragrant French onion soup mix, tender rice, and creamy sour cream, all baked together and topped with melted cheese and crispy French-fried onions. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, this casserole offers a rich and flavorful one-dish meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 packet French onion soup mix
- 2 cups beef broth
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
- ½ cup French-fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease, then season the beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor.
- Combine rice and soup mix: In a large bowl, mix together the uncooked rice, French onion soup mix, and beef broth until the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Add beef and sour cream: Stir the cooked ground beef and sour cream into the rice mixture until well combined and creamy.
- Transfer and top: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and evenly sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes to allow the rice to cook and flavors to meld.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Add French-fried onions: Sprinkle the French-fried onions over the casserole and bake for another 5 minutes to achieve a crispy, golden topping.
Notes
- You can substitute the beef broth with low-sodium broth for a healthier option.
- Using a mix of mozzarella and Swiss cheese offers a nice flavor balance, but feel free to use one type based on your preference.
- Ensure the rice is fully submerged in the beef broth mixture to cook evenly during baking.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set before serving.
- This dish reheats well and makes great leftovers.
