Easy Beef Casserole
Ingredients
4-6 servings
servings
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 lb chuck or lean ground beef
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 package of dry onion soup mix
- 1 (10 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook rice per your favorite method (for extra flavor add a bouillon cube to the water when cooking your rice). See our guide to cooking rice if needed.
- In a separate pan, heat the oil and brown the ground meat over medium-high heat, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease or oil. Add the mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix, and the Rotel tomatoes. Mix together well then add the cooked rice.
- Pour in an 8x8 casserole dish that has been greased or sprayed with Pam. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees until heated through and bubbly.
Common Problems and Solutions
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can assemble the casserole completely, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if going from cold to oven.
Q: The casserole seems dry—what went wrong?
A: Make sure your rice is freshly cooked and still moist, not leftover dried-out rice. The canned soups provide moisture, but if needed, you can add 1/4 cup of beef broth or water to the mixture before baking.
Tips and Techniques
For a little extra flavor, sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking. You can also add frozen mixed vegetables to the meat mixture for a complete one-dish meal.
Ingredient Substitutions
- cream of mushroom soup: cream of chicken or cream of celery soup
- Rotel tomatoes: 1 can diced tomatoes plus 1 small can diced green chiles
- ground beef: ground turkey or ground chicken
- dry onion soup mix: 1/2 cup diced onion plus 1 tsp beef bouillon and 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Equipment Needed
- 8x8 inch casserole dish
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Pot for cooking rice
