French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

• servings: Servings: 6
• active time: Prep Time: 10 minutes
• total time: Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)

1 can (10.5 oz) French onion soup

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

½ cup sour cream (plus an additional ½ cup for the optional topping)

½ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp black pepper

¼ tsp salt

1 tbsp olive oil

¾ cup crispy fried onions (optional, for topping)

¼ cup chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Set it aside.

Cook the Ground Beef:

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat from the skillet.

Mix the Casserole Ingredients:

3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, French onion soup, shredded cheddar, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well mixed. Add the cooked beef and sautéed onions to the mixture, stirring to combine.

Optional Creamy Topping:

4. In a small bowl, mix the additional ½ cup sour cream with ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Spread this mixture evenly over the casserole after assembling.

Assemble the Casserole:

5. Spread the casserole mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. If using the creamy topping, ensure it's evenly layered on top.

Bake:

6. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and the top is lightly golden and bubbly.

Add Fried Onions:

7. If using crispy fried onions, sprinkle them over the casserole during the last 5 minutes of baking to ensure they stay crunchy.

Garnish and Serve:

8. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before garnishing with chopped green onions, if desired.

Serve:

9. Enjoy with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal.