If there’s one dish that never fails to win hearts on a busy weeknight, it’s French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole. This soul-warming casserole brings together the savory depth of French onion soup, hearty ground beef, fluffy rice, and gooey melted cheese in every forkful. It’s pure comfort food: rich, indulgent, and so easy to assemble, you’ll want to add it to your regular rotation. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or craving leftovers for lunch, this casserole brings cozy flavors to your table with zero fuss.

French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this casserole shine is how every ingredient plays its part, blending for maximum flavor and that perfect, crave-worthy texture. These kitchen staples truly create magic together in French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole!

Ground beef: The flavorful base—choose 80/20 for the best balance of juiciness and richness.
Long grain white rice: Uncooked is best; it cooks up fluffy and soaks up all those savory juices.
French onion soup (canned): Adds deep, caramelized onion flavor; a classic shortcut to tons of flavor.
Cream of mushroom soup: Delivers creaminess and richness in every bite without any heavy lifting.
Beef broth: Keeps everything moist and infuses every grain with savory flavor.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: For that irresistible gooey cheese layer when baked.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp, cheddar kick that’s classic in any casserole.
Worcestershire sauce: A dash boosts umami and ties all the flavors together beautifully.
Garlic powder: Lends complexity to the beef with none of the work of mincing fresh garlic.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning the beef and the entire dish to perfection.
Olive oil: For sautéing, helping the beef brown beautifully without sticking.
Chopped parsley (optional): A sprinkle of freshness and color just before serving.

How to Make French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s ready to embrace your bubbling casserole. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish—you’ll need every inch of space for all that cheesy, beefy goodness.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat up a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Toss in the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned and no longer pink. Drain away any excess fat, then season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper right in the pan, allowing those flavors to infuse the meat.

Step 3: Mix Everything Together

In a large mixing bowl, combine the uncooked rice, French onion soup, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and your freshly cooked beef. Give it all a good stir until everything’s beautifully blended and coated—the mixture will be soupy, and that’s exactly what you want for perfectly tender rice.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread it evenly from corner to corner. This ensures you get all those delicious flavors in every single scoop!

Step 5: Bake Covered

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and let your French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole bake for about 55 to 60 minutes. This is when the rice absorbs the flavors and cooks to tender perfection. No peeking—keeping it covered traps essential moisture inside.

Step 6: Cheese Finish

Remove the foil and sprinkle both mozzarella and cheddar cheese generously over the top. Place the dish back in the oven, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbly golden crown.

Step 7: Rest and Garnish

Let your casserole rest for a few minutes before serving—this helps everything set and makes scooping easy. Top with chopped parsley for a pop of freshness and enjoy every glorious bite!

How to Serve French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

Garnishes

This casserole is plenty flavorful on its own, but a sprinkling of fresh chopped parsley or even a handful of crispy fried onions just before serving adds lovely color and a touch of fanciness without extra effort.

Side Dishes

Pair French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole with simple sides like steamed green beans, a crisp garden salad, or roasted carrots. Their freshness balances the casserole’s deep savory notes, making for a well-rounded meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Feeling inspired? Spoon the casserole into individual ramekins for dinner-party-worthy portions, or top with extra cheese and slide under the broiler for a golden, bubbly finish that wows every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate. The flavors get even cozier overnight, and your French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole will keep for up to four days—perfect for hearty work lunches or quick dinners.

Freezing

This casserole freezes like a pro! Just scoop portions into freezer-safe containers, or wrap the entire dish tightly in foil and plastic wrap. Freeze for up to three months. To bake from frozen, cover and heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.

Reheating

For best results, reheat gently in the oven at 350°F, covered, until hot and bubbly. You can also zap individual portions in the microwave, though you might want to add a splash of broth to keep them moist and delicious.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Absolutely, though you’ll need to increase the baking time by 15 to 20 minutes and perhaps add a bit more broth, since brown rice takes longer to cook and absorbs a bit more liquid.

What can I use instead of ground beef?

Ground turkey or chicken both make fantastic lighter alternatives! Either substitutes seamlessly and picks up all those wonderful French onion flavors—just be sure to season well.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole up to the cheese layer, cover, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, add 5–10 extra minutes to the covered baking time to ensure thorough heating.

How do I prevent the rice from coming out hard or undercooked?

Be sure to keep the casserole tightly covered for the initial bake, and use long grain white rice for predictable results. If you notice the rice is still a bit firm after the recommended time, simply add a splash of broth, cover, and return to the oven.

Is there a way to give the casserole more of a French onion flavor?

Try using homemade French onion soup or sautéing extra onions with your beef for a double dose of that classic French onion goodness in every bite!

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about digging into a bubbling, cheesy French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole with loved ones at the table. It’s easy, hearty, and bound to become a go-to in your kitchen. If you want a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal with minimal fuss, this casserole truly delivers. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite weeknight winner!

French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 30 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that combines ground beef, rice, French onion soup, and creamy mushroom soup topped with two kinds of cheese. It’s a simple yet satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
1 can (10.5 oz) French onion soup
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef in olive oil until browned. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Prepare the casserole: In a large bowl, combine the uncooked rice, French onion soup, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and cooked ground beef. Pour into the baking dish.
Bake the casserole: Cover with foil and bake for 55-60 minutes until rice is tender. Remove foil, sprinkle cheeses on top, and bake uncovered for 5-10 minutes until cheese melts.
Serve: Let the casserole rest before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.