Description

This French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish combining savory ground beef, aromatic garlic seasoning, tender long grain rice, and rich French onion soup. Baked to perfection with a buttery topping, it delivers a flavorful one-dish meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

1 pound lean ground beef
½ to 1 teaspoon garlic salt (adjust to taste)

Liquids and Broth

2 (10.5 ounce) cans beef consomme
2 (10.5 ounce) cans French onion soup
¾ cup water

Grains and Butter

2 cups long grain white rice (uncooked, not instant/minute rice)
¾ cup butter (1 ½ sticks), cut into slices

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and season it with garlic salt according to your taste preference. Cook, stirring and crumbling the beef, until it is completely browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Combine Ingredients in Baking Dish: Transfer the cooked ground beef to the prepared baking dish. Add the uncooked rice on top. Pour in the French onion soup, beef consomme, and water. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly without displacing the rice.
Add Butter Slices: Cut the butter into slices and evenly arrange them over the top of the mixture. This will help create a rich, buttery topping during baking.
Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the liquids and start cooking through.
Remove Foil and Continue Baking: After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil and return the dish to the oven. Bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes to finish cooking the rice and develop a slight crust on top. (For a cheesy and crispy topping version, you can sprinkle shredded cheese over the casserole after removing the foil before continuing baking.)
Fluff and Serve: Once baking is complete, remove the casserole from the oven. Use a fork to fluff the rice and mix everything gently. Serve warm and enjoy your satisfying casserole.

Notes

For a cheesy and crispy topping, sprinkle shredded cheddar or your favorite cheese over the casserole after removing the foil, then bake uncovered for the final 30 minutes.
You can swap the beef consomme for beef broth if you prefer a lighter flavor.
To make this dish quicker, you could use pre-cooked rice, but adjust the liquid amounts accordingly and reduce baking time to prevent overcooking.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: French onion casserole, ground beef casserole, baked rice dish, comfort food, easy casserole