This Beef & Rice Casserole is a timeless family favorite that brings hearty comfort to the dinner table. Made with simple pantry staples, ground beef, vegetables, rice, and a touch of chicken noodle soup mix—it reflects mid-20th-century American home cooking at its best. The dish combines savory beef and aromatic vegetables in a creamy rice base, baked to perfection for a cozy and filling meal. Ideal for feeding a family or making ahead for leftovers, this casserole captures the nostalgic charm of handwritten recipes passed between friends and relatives in classic kitchens.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 1 green pepper (chopped)
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 1 stalk celery (chopped)
- 1.5 pkgoz chicken noodle soup mix (1 package)
- 2 ¼ cups water (boiling)
- ½ cups rice (uncooked)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ cup butter
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef
- In a skillet, brown 1 lb of ground beef over medium heat. Drain off excess fat.
Step 2: Sauté Vegetables
- Add chopped green pepper, onion, and celery to the beef. Sauté until vegetables are tender.
Step 3: Prepare Rice Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine chicken noodle soup mix, 2 ½ cups boiling water, uncooked rice, salt, and butter. Stir well.
Step 4: Combine Mixtures
- Add the meat and vegetable mixture to the rice mixture. Stir until well combined.
Step 5: Bake
- Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Tips
- Substitute ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Add mushrooms or peas for extra vegetables.
- Top with cheddar cheese during the last 10 minutes for a creamy crust.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
- Use instant rice to reduce baking time by 10 minutes.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 22gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 410mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 2.8mg
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