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Easy Set It and Forget It Beef Rice Casserole: Best Homemade Dinner

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This easy set it and forget it beef rice casserole is a foolproof, hands-off dinner that combines ground beef, long-grain rice, and savory seasonings baked to perfection. With minimal prep and pantry-friendly ingredients, it’s the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the rack in the middle of the oven.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink (6-8 minutes). Leave about a tablespoon of fat in the pan.
  3. Push the beef to one side of the skillet. Add the diced onion to the empty space and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Mix everything together.
  4. Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme over the beef mixture. Stir well and cook for another minute to bloom the spices.
  5. In a mixing bowl or large liquid measuring cup, combine the beef broth, undrained diced tomatoes, and unsalted butter. Stir until the butter melts (microwave for 30 seconds if needed). Add the bay leaf and stir.
  6. Spread the seasoned beef and onion mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the uncooked rice over the beef in an even layer. Pour the broth and tomato mixture over everything. Do not stir. Gently shake the dish to settle the liquid.
  7. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Do not peek during this time.
  8. After 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil. The rice should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a golden-brown top, broil for the last 2 minutes (watch closely).
  9. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.
  10. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Scoop into bowls and serve.

Notes

Don’t rinse the rice; the starch helps thicken the liquid. Seal the foil tightly to prevent steam escape. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the rice to absorb remaining liquid. If the rice is still firm after 45 minutes, cover and bake for an additional 10 minutes before adding cheese. For meal prep, double the recipe and freeze one unbaked casserole.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef rice casserole, easy casserole, set it and forget it, ground beef recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food, family meal

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