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French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

This French onion ground beef and rice casserole is ultimate comfort food made simple, featuring juicy beef and creamy cheese in every bite.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings

Equipment

  • A large skillet
  • 9x13-inch casserole dish
  • Aluminum foil

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 large onion sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup shredded cheese mozzarella or cheddar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish optional

Instructions
 

Step 1: Preheat the oven and prep the dish

  • Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Step 2: Caramelize the onions

  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté for 10–15 minutes, stirring often, until they become soft, golden, and caramelized. This adds a sweet depth of flavor to the casserole.

Step 3: Brown the ground beef

  • Add the ground beef directly to the skillet with the onions. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper, stirring to coat the beef evenly with the spices.

Step 4: Add rice and broth

  • Stir in the uncooked rice and beef broth. Mix well to combine everything, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
  • This starts the cooking process for the rice and helps the flavors come together.

Step 5: Assemble and bake

  • Transfer the hot beef and rice mixture to your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly, then cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to let the rice absorb the broth and become tender.

Step 6: Add the cheese topping

  • Remove the foil and sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese over the top of the casserole. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 7: Let it rest and serve

  • Once baked, take the casserole out of the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
  • This helps everything set and makes it easier to portion. For a fresh finish, garnish with chopped parsley if you’d like.