Description
This French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Ground beef is sautéed with caramelized onions, seasoned to perfection, and mixed with rice and beef broth, then baked to create a flavorful, cheesy casserole. Topped with Swiss cheese, crispy French fried onions, and fresh parsley, it’s the perfect balance of savory flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup French fried onions (for topping)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the Onions: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and golden brown.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Season the Beef and Onion Mixture: Season the beef and onion mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine and set aside.
- Combine Rice and Broth: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef and onion mixture with uncooked rice and beef broth. Mix thoroughly to ensure the rice is well-coated with the flavors.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the mixture to the greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly. Cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Add Swiss Cheese: After 30 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes to set. Top with French fried onions and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Add Veggies: For extra nutrition, you can add vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers to the beef mixture.
- Make it Spicy: If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Substitute Cheese: If you don’t have Swiss cheese, feel free to substitute with cheddar, mozzarella, or Gruyère for a different flavor profile.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use dairy-free cheese or skip the cheese entirely for a lighter version of the dish.
- Make Ahead: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a day before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25mg
- Cholesterol: 60 mg