Description
A comforting and flavorful French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole featuring browned ground beef, aromatic onions, and a creamy mixture of French onion soup and sour cream, baked to perfection with a cheesy mozzarella and cheddar topping. This easy one-dish meal combines hearty ingredients with classic flavors, perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Grains and Liquids
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed French onion soup
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup sour cream
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook the ground beef until it’s browned and fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Sauté the onions: Add the finely chopped onion to the beef and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Season the mixture: Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, black pepper, and salt to evenly distribute the flavors throughout the cooked meat and onions.
- Add rice and liquids: Incorporate the uncooked rice into the skillet, stirring it to coat with the seasoning and beef mixture. Pour in the condensed French onion soup and beef broth, stirring to combine everything thoroughly.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on the stovetop to start cooking the rice and blend flavors.
- Mix in sour cream: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the sour cream until fully incorporated, adding creaminess to the casserole base.
- Assemble in baking dish: Transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and cover tightly with foil.
- Bake covered: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to cook the rice and develop flavors.
- Add cheese topping: Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top, then return to the oven uncovered.
- Bake uncovered: Continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Rest and garnish: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein alternative.
- Using pre-cooked rice reduces baking time to around 25 minutes.
- For extra texture and flavor, top the casserole with crispy fried onions before serving.
- Ensure to use gluten-free French onion soup if gluten-free is required.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
