Description
A hearty and comforting French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole, combining savory browned beef, flavorful French onion soup, creamy sour cream, and melty mozzarella cheese baked to perfection. Ideal for an easy weeknight dinner that serves six.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound lean Ground Beef
- 1 cup Sour Cream (or Greek yogurt as a lower-fat alternative)
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (or Gruyère/provolone for variety)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (or olive oil as a lighter substitute)
Staples and Seasonings
- 3 cups Cooked White Rice (preferably day-old)
- 1 can Condensed French Onion Soup (or homemade onion soup)
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons Chopped Parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, melt about one tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Season the Beef: Sprinkle the cooked beef with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for another 2 minutes to let the flavors develop thoroughly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add the browned beef mixture, cooked white rice, condensed French onion soup, and sour cream. Gently fold everything together until ingredients are evenly combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the combined mixture into the greased baking dish. Spread it out evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Add Cheese Topping: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the beef and rice mixture.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Bake until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley to add a fresh color contrast and brightness before serving.
Notes
- Using day-old rice helps absorb flavors better than freshly cooked rice.
- Lean ground beef keeps the casserole meatier without excess fat.
- Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter, protein-rich option.
- Try different cheeses like Gruyère or provolone for varied flavor profiles.
- Homemade French onion soup can enhance flavor if you have the time to prepare it.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving helps it set, making it easier to portion.
