Busy evenings call for meals that are dependable, filling, and easy to clean up after. This Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole fits that role perfectly. It brings together seasoned beef, tender rice, and a rich tomato base, all finished with melted cheddar for a cozy, satisfying dish that feels like comfort food without demanding hours in the kitchen. The entire recipe comes together in a single pan, and the rice cooks right in the savory mixture, soaking up flavor as it goes.
The result is a hearty casserole that’s ready in about 30 minutes and built from straightforward pantry staples. It’s the kind of dinner that works just as well for a family meal as it does for leftovers the next day, with textures and flavors that hold up beautifully after reheating. Simple, reliable, and crowd-pleasing, this dish has earned its place among weeknight favorites.
Why This Casserole Works So Well
The strength of this recipe lies in its simplicity and smart layering of flavors. Browning the beef with onion creates a savory foundation. Garlic and spices add warmth without overpowering the dish. When the uncooked rice is stirred into the mixture with tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth, it absorbs the seasoned liquid as it simmers, cooking evenly and picking up flavor from every ingredient around it.
Because the rice cooks directly in the pan with the sauce, there’s no need for a separate pot or extra steps. The final addition of cheddar cheese brings everything together, adding creaminess and a familiar comfort-food finish. A quick trip under the broiler melts the cheese on top into a lightly golden layer that makes the casserole look just as good as it tastes.
A Closer Look at the Ingredients
This recipe relies on everyday items that are easy to keep on hand:
Ground beef (80/20): The balance of meat and fat provides flavor without making the dish greasy. Browning it first builds the savory base of the casserole.
Uncooked long-grain white rice: This type of rice holds its shape well and absorbs the cooking liquid evenly, giving the dish structure and substance.
Diced tomatoes with juices and tomato sauce: Together, they create a rich, slightly tangy cooking liquid that flavors the rice and keeps the casserole moist.
Beef broth: This deepens the savory notes and ensures the rice cooks in a well-seasoned liquid.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Divided between mixing into the casserole and topping it, the cheese adds creaminess inside and a melted, golden finish on top.
Onion and garlic: These aromatics provide a classic, savory backbone and make the entire dish more fragrant and flavorful.
Spices (chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper): This simple blend adds warmth and depth without turning the dish into something overly spicy or heavy.
Optional additions: Corn, black beans, or green chilies can be mixed in for extra texture, color, and flavor, while still keeping the recipe easy and flexible.
Each component has a clear role, and together they form a balanced, filling meal that doesn’t rely on complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
Step-by-Step: How the Casserole Comes Together
The cooking process is straightforward and designed to minimize both time and cleanup.
First, a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven is heated over medium-high heat. The ground beef and finely diced onion go in together. As the beef cooks, the onion softens and releases its natural sweetness. Once the meat is fully browned, any excess fat is drained off to keep the final dish rich but not heavy. Garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper are stirred in and cooked briefly, just long enough for their aromas to bloom.
Next comes the heart of the recipe. The uncooked rice is added directly to the pan, followed by the diced tomatoes with their juices, the tomato sauce, and the beef broth. Everything is stirred together and brought to a gentle simmer. The heat is then reduced to low, the pan is covered, and the mixture cooks for 18 to 20 minutes. During this time, the rice absorbs the liquid, softens, and takes on the flavors of the seasoned beef and tomato base. Occasional stirring helps ensure even cooking and prevents sticking.
Once the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, the pan is removed from the heat. One cup of the shredded cheddar cheese is stirred in, melting into the casserole and making the texture creamy and cohesive. The remaining half cup of cheese is sprinkled evenly over the top.
To finish, the skillet is placed under the broiler for two to three minutes. This step melts the cheese on top and gives it a lightly golden color, adding both visual appeal and a slightly crisp contrast to the creamy interior. After coming out of the oven, the casserole rests for about five minutes. This short rest allows it to thicken and set, making it easier to serve neat portions.
Texture, Flavor, and What to Expect
The finished casserole is hearty and spoonable, with tender rice, savory beef, and a rich tomato-cheese sauce binding everything together. The spices provide warmth rather than heat, making the dish approachable for a wide range of tastes. The melted cheddar adds a familiar, comforting richness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes and the savoriness of the beef.
Because the rice cooks in the same pan as the rest of the ingredients, every bite carries the same layered flavor. There’s no plain or underseasoned component, and the textures stay consistent from edge to center.
Simple Ways to Customize the Dish
While the base recipe is satisfying on its own, it also welcomes small additions without changing its character. Stirring in corn adds a touch of sweetness and color. Black beans bring extra heartiness and a bit of contrast in texture. Green chilies contribute a mild, fresh heat and a hint of brightness.
These optional ingredients can be mixed in when the rice and liquids are added, allowing them to cook and warm through along with everything else. The casserole remains a one-pan meal, and the overall cooking time stays the same.
Why It’s Ideal for Weeknights
This recipe is designed with efficiency in mind. Using one pan means fewer dishes to wash. Cooking the rice directly in the sauce eliminates extra steps and saves time. The ingredient list is short and based on common items, so there’s no need for a special shopping trip.
From start to finish, the process is predictable and forgiving, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule. The 30-minute timeframe includes both cooking and finishing under the broiler, which means dinner can be on the table quickly without sacrificing flavor or comfort.
Serving and Pairing Ideas
On its own, this casserole is a complete meal with protein, grains, and rich sauce all in one dish. For a simple side, a green salad with a light dressing can provide a fresh contrast. Steamed vegetables or a quick sauté of greens also pair well and add color to the plate.
Because the flavors are familiar and well-balanced, this dish works for casual family dinners, potlucks, or make-ahead meals that need to reheat well.
Storage and Leftovers
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator and reheat smoothly, making this casserole a practical option for meal prep or next-day lunches. The flavors often deepen slightly after resting overnight, and the texture remains satisfying. When reheating, a small splash of broth or water can help loosen the mixture if it has thickened in the fridge.
A Reliable Comfort Food Classic
What sets this Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole apart is not novelty, but reliability. It delivers exactly what a comfort dish should: warmth, richness, and a sense of ease in both preparation and eating. The combination of beef, rice, tomato, and cheese is familiar, but here it’s arranged in a way that’s efficient, flavorful, and consistently successful.
For anyone looking to simplify weeknight cooking without giving up hearty, satisfying meals, this one-pan casserole offers a dependable solution. It proves that comfort food does not have to be complicated to be deeply enjoyable.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (80/20)
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juices
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1½ cups beef broth
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 small onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional: ½ cup corn, black beans, or green chilies
Directions
Step 1: Brown the Meat
Heat a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the meat is fully browned. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Simmer the Rice
Stir in the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 18–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Step 3: Make It Cheesy
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar until melted and creamy. Evenly sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese over the top.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Place the skillet under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and lightly golden. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving so it thickens and sets nicely.