Description
A comforting French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole that combines caramelized onions, seasoned ground beef, and tender rice baked with savory beef broth and topped with melted Swiss cheese and crispy French fried onions for an irresistible, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings & Garnish
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- ½ cup French fried onions (for topping)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the casserole later.
- Caramelize onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté them for 10-12 minutes until they become golden brown and caramelized, which brings out their natural sweetness.
- Cook ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the caramelized onions and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. After cooking, drain any excess fat to maintain the right texture and flavor.
- Season beef mixture: Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasonings throughout the meat and onions.
- Combine with rice and broth: In a large bowl, mix the seasoned beef and onion mixture with the uncooked long-grain white rice and beef broth, ensuring everything is well combined.
- Prepare casserole dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly to prevent sticking. Pour the beef, rice, and broth mixture into the dish and cover it tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake covered: Place the covered casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes to cook the rice and meld the flavors.
- Add cheese and bake uncovered: Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Rest and garnish: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven. Then, top with crispy French fried onions and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth or low-sodium store-bought broth.
- If preferred, white onion can be substituted with yellow or sweet onion for a different sweetness level.
- Make sure to cover the casserole tightly with foil to prevent the rice from drying out while baking.
- You can substitute Swiss cheese with Gruyère or mozzarella for a variation in taste.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
