French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole Recipe
A comforting French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole combining savory caramelized onions, seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and melted Swiss cheese, topped with crispy fried onions for a deliciously crunchy finish. Perfectly baked to bring out rich flavors in an easy, hearty meal that serves six.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup crispy fried onions (for topping)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the sliced onions for 10-12 minutes until they turn golden brown and caramelized, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions, breaking it apart as it cooks for 5-7 minutes until fully browned. Drain excess grease from the skillet to keep the casserole from becoming oily.
- Prepare Rice: Rinse the long-grain white rice under cold water to remove excess starch. You can either cook it separately according to package instructions or add it uncooked directly to the casserole mixture.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef and onion mixture with the uncooked rice and beef broth. Add garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, then stir well until all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the combined mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes, allowing the rice to cook through and absorb the flavors.
- Add Cheese and Continue Baking: Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle shredded Swiss cheese over the casserole. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown.
- Top with Crispy Onions: Sprinkle the crispy fried onions over the melted cheese layer and bake uncovered for another 5 minutes to ensure the onions become golden and crisp.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- To save time, caramelized onions can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- If preferred, white rice can be par-cooked to reduce baking time.
- For a richer flavor, substitute beef broth with homemade broth or add a splash of dry white wine when sautéing onions.
- Feel free to add vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for added nutrition and flavor.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to reduce salt content if desired.
Keywords: French onion casserole, ground beef casserole, baked rice casserole, Swiss cheese casserole, comfort food, easy dinner recipe