Description
Creamy ranch ground beef and rice casserole delivers comfort and flavor in one delightful dish. Hearty ingredients blend perfectly, offering a satisfying meal that brings families together at the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups white rice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup milk
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light cooking spray coating.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces until no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Add diced onions to the beef and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt, thoroughly coating the meat and onions with the spices.
- Incorporate the white rice into the beef mixture, ensuring each grain is well-distributed and slightly toasted.
- Pour beef broth and milk into the skillet, stirring to combine all ingredients and create a cohesive mixture.
- Fold in the frozen mixed vegetables, distributing them evenly throughout the beef and rice.
- Transfer the entire skillet contents into the prepared baking dish, spreading the mixture in an even layer.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the top of the casserole, covering the entire surface.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden and rice is tender.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting ranch seasoning or adding a dash of cayenne for spice lovers.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein alternative.
- Use brown rice instead of white rice to boost nutritional value and add a nutty flavor profile.
- Prep vegetables ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and reduce overall kitchen time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg