Southern Beef and Rice Casserole (Hearty, Cheesy, and Freezer-Friendly!)
Southern Beef and Rice Casserole is the ultimate one-dish comfort food. It’s packed with seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and melty cheddar cheese, then baked to bubbly perfection. This freezer-friendly, crowd-pleasing recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, gatherings, or make-ahead meal prep. Simple to make and guaranteed to satisfy.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Aromatics:Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain off excess grease. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Mix the Filling:In a large bowl, combine the beef mixture with uncooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar.
- Assemble and Bake:Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35–40 minutes or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Finish with Cheese:Uncover and top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar. Bake for an additional 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.
Notes
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