Description
This French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring savory sautéed onions and ground beef blended with flavorful herbs, beef broth, and French onion soup. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy breadcrumbs, this casserole is perfect for a satisfying family meal that combines simple ingredients into a deliciously layered bake.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs and Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup French onion soup
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onions: Add the sliced onion to the skillet and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and turns golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.
- Cook ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
- Brown the beef: Continue cooking until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add garlic and herbs: Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add liquids: Pour in the beef broth and French onion soup, stirring to combine thoroughly.
- Simmer flavors: Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 3-5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Incorporate rice: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the cooked rice, mixing well.
- Prepare baking dish: Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Add breadcrumbs: Evenly distribute breadcrumbs over the cheese layer for a crispy finish.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake casserole: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is melted and breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- Rest: Remove from oven and let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve: Serve hot and enjoy your French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole.
Notes
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with mozzarella or a cheese blend for different flavors.
- For extra crunch, add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the breadcrumb topping.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Use low-sodium beef broth and soup to reduce salt content if desired.
- Adding a side salad or steamed vegetables complements this hearty casserole well.