Grandma’s Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe
Grandma’s Rice Dish is a comforting baked casserole combining ground beef, vegetables, and rice, all topped with melted cheddar cheese and a crispy breadcrumb layer. This hearty and flavorful recipe is perfect for a family dinner, blending savory ingredients with a touch of spice from chili powder and garlic powder.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
Base Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked long grain rice
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (11 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
- 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
Seasonings and Toppings
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1–1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Beef Mixture: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and chopped green pepper until the meat is no longer pink, breaking the beef into crumbles as it cooks. Once done, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir into the cooked beef mixture the cooked long grain rice, undrained diced tomatoes, drained whole kernel corn, drained sliced ripe olives, crumbled bacon strips, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt. Heat through on the stovetop, then stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until it melts completely into the mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture into a greased 11×7-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. In a small bowl, toss the dry bread crumbs with the melted butter, then sprinkle this breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and the breadcrumbs are golden and crispy. Once done, remove from oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a less salty dish, reduce or omit the added salt, considering canned ingredients already contain salt.
- You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Use gluten-free bread crumbs if you need the recipe to be gluten-free.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; add a few extra minutes to the bake time if baking from cold.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: ground beef casserole, rice casserole, baked rice dish, comfort food, cheesy casserole, family dinner recipe
