Description
Hearty French onion ground beef and rice casserole delivers comfort on a plate, blending classic flavors with modern simplicity. Savory caramelized onions and tender beef create a delicious one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
Vegetables and Alliums:
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil (if needed)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can French onion soup
- 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup (180 grams) uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (57 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by setting the temperature to 350F (175C) and applying a light grease coating to a 9×13-inch baking vessel.
- Place ground beef in a spacious skillet and cook over medium heat, ensuring thorough browning. Eliminate any surplus fat through draining.
- Introduce sliced onions to the pan, allowing them to soften and caramelize during a 5-minute transformation. Incorporate minced garlic and briefly sauté for half a minute.
- Integrate Worcestershire sauce, French onion soup, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, uncooked rice, seasoning elements like salt and pepper, and aromatic thyme. Thoroughly amalgamate all components.
- Carefully transfer the mixed ingredients into the prepared baking dish, ensuring complete coverage with aluminum foil.
- Initiate baking process for approximately 45 minutes. Remove foil, gently stir contents, and evaluate rice tenderness. Extend cooking time by 10 minutes if necessary.
- Generously distribute cheddar and mozzarella cheeses across the surface. Sprinkle crispy fried onions for additional texture and flavor. Return to oven uncovered, allowing cheese to melt and achieve a golden, bubbling appearance.
- After removing from oven, permit the casserole to rest and settle for 5 minutes before serving, allowing flavors to harmonize and consistency to stabilize.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly to develop deep, rich flavor and prevent burning by stirring frequently and using medium-low heat.
- Drain excess beef fat completely to avoid a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing texture.
- Use low-sodium broth and soups to control salt levels, allowing you to adjust seasoning precisely to your taste preferences.
- Experiment with alternative proteins like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version of this hearty dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg