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Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 52 reviews

A comforting and hearty Ground Beef Casserole that combines savory seasoned beef, fresh spinach, and creamy cauliflower rice, topped with melted Italian blend cheese. This dish is easy to prepare and bakes to bubbly perfection, making it a great weeknight dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Beef Mixture

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 6 ounces fresh baby spinach

For the Casserole Base

  • 10 ounces frozen cauliflower rice (cooked according to bag directions)
  • 1 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)
  • 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons milk (if needed)

For Topping

  • 8 ounces shredded Italian blend cheese (or any shredded cheese of your preference)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Sauté Onions and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 20 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and season with Italian seasoning, sweet paprika, salt, and pepper. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and continue cooking until the beef is fully browned.
  4. Add Spinach: Stir in the fresh baby spinach, adding it in batches if necessary. Cook while stirring frequently for about 1 minute or until the spinach is wilted.
  5. Drain and Set Aside: Remove the skillet from heat and drain any excess liquid from the beef and spinach mixture. Set this mixture aside for later use.
  6. Prepare Casserole Base: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the cooked cauliflower rice, sour cream, butter, and dried basil. Stir until the mixture is creamy and well combined. If the mixture isn’t fully smooth and buttery, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk as needed, ensuring the cauliflower rice is warm enough to melt the butter.
  7. Combine Beef and Cauliflower Mixture: Add the prepared ground beef and spinach mixture to the baking dish. Stir everything together until fully incorporated.
  8. Add Cheese Topping: Evenly sprinkle the shredded Italian blend cheese over the top of the casserole.
  9. Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese has fully melted and turned slightly golden.
  10. Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 7 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting time helps the casserole set for easier serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute plain yogurt for sour cream to lighten the casserole.
  • If you prefer, any shredded cheese such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack can be used in place of Italian blend cheese.
  • Make sure to drain excess liquid from the beef mixture to prevent the casserole from becoming watery.
  • Add milk gradually as needed to achieve a creamy texture without making it too runny.
  • For a lower-carb version, ensure the cauliflower rice is well drained and cooked according to package instructions prior to assembling.

Keywords: ground beef casserole, cauliflower rice casserole, healthy beef casserole, low carb casserole, baked beef casserole, spinach and beef casserole

Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/ground-beef-and-cauliflower-rice-casserole-recipe/