This delicious French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Trust me, this is a recipe you’re going to want to keep on repeat!
Ingredients Breakdown
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup French onion soup (canned or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust as needed)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (for garnish)
How to Make This French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
Step 1: Prepare the Onions
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt your butter while you slice the onion. Once the butter is melted, add the onion slices and a couple pinches of salt. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. This is where the magic starts, your kitchen will smell incredible, and this is the beginning of flavor country!
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Increase the heat to medium-high, adding in the ground beef. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned and no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Make sure to scrape the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan, you want that flavor in your casserole!
Step 3: Add the Rice and Seasoning
Once the beef is cooked through, stir in the long-grain white rice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and a few more pinches of salt. Give it all a good mix and cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is evenly coated and fragrant.
Step 4: Add Liquids and Simmer
Now it’s time to pour in the beef broth and French onion soup. Stir everything together to combine, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes. When it’s ready, the liquid should be absorbed and the rice tender.
Step 5: Transfer to a Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Once the rice is cooked through, transfer this hearty mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. It’s okay if it looks a little messy rustic is totally in right now!
Step 6: Add Cheese and Bake
Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Place it in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden. Seriously, you might find yourself standing in front of the oven just waiting for it to finish, ready to dig in!
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes while you resist the urge to dive right in. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top before serving to make it look nice and fancy!
Personal Connection
I love whipping this up after a long day because it’s so comforting and gets everyone’s tastebuds singing! I’m a real sucker for cheesy, saucy meals that are also easy to prepare. The best part is that you can customize it based on what you have in the fridge. Seriously, this recipe is such a lifesaver on those busy weeknights when you just don’t know what to make.
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my easy Birria Tacos!
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions
Serve this casserole with a fresh salad, some crusty bread, or even a side of veggies to round out the meal. It’s a hearty dish that can stand alone or be dressed up!
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to place them in an airtight container.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply pop it back in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual servings for about 2-3 minutes, but I prefer the oven for that crispy, cheesy top!
Freezer Friendly
Yes! This casserole freezes beautifully. Just let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It keeps well in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating, or bake it straight from frozen (you’ll want to add some extra time).
Cooking shouldn’t be a chore; it should be fun and rewarding! This French Onion Ground Beef & Rice Casserole is just that! Enjoy, and happy cooking!
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Quick and Easy French Onion Ground Beef & Rice Casserole
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A comforting one-pot meal that combines ground beef, rice, and French onion flavors for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup French onion soup (canned or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust as needed)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt, sauté until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add ground beef, cook over medium-high heat until browned, about 5-6 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in rice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and more salt. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in beef broth and French onion soup. Stir, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15-20 minutes until rice is tender.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let sit for 5 minutes, garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
This casserole can be customized with different proteins, cheeses, or vegetables. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator or can be frozen for future meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg