Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 bell peppers (multi-colored), diced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 cup white rice, uncooked
- 2 cups white cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Sauté the Beef and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add the diced onion, diced bell peppers, and minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the uncooked white rice, tomato sauce, and beef broth into the skillet with the beef and vegetables. Mix well to evenly distribute all components.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Spread it out evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid and become tender.
- Add Cheese Topping: After 40 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded white cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Finish Baking: Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the casserole set and enhances flavors.
Notes
- You can use brown rice instead of white rice, but increase the baking time and the amount of broth accordingly to ensure the rice cooks fully.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Add spices like paprika, Italian seasoning, or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker casserole, reduce the beef broth to 1 cup.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American