French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

Directions

1Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set aside.

2In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes until softened and lightly browned.

3Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

4Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook and crumble the beef until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.

5Add the French onion soup, diced tomatoes (with their juices), beef broth, and long-grain white rice to the skillet. Stir everything to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

6Pour the beef and rice mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.

7Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed. Check halfway through the baking time and add a little more beef broth or water if the rice looks too dry.

8Remove the foil and sprinkle grated cheese over the casserole during the last 5-10 minutes of baking. Return to the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tip

1Rice - If you prefer a more tender rice, you can pre-cook the rice slightly before adding it to the casserole mixture, or use instant rice for a quicker cook time.

Make-ahead

1You can prepare the casserole in advance, cover it, and refrigerate it until ready to bake. You may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if it’s chilled.