Beefy Garlic Butter Rice Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Beefy Garlic Butter Bowl is a comforting, cheesy casserole that combines savory ground beef with creamy garlic butter rice and two kinds of melted cheese. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a hearty family dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Cook until fully browned and no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the cooked rice, beef broth, and heavy cream. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the rice becomes creamy.
3. Step 3: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Spread the creamy garlic butter rice evenly across the bottom.
4. Step 4: Layer the cooked ground beef over the rice, distributing it evenly.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the beef, then top with shredded mozzarella, covering it completely for a great cheese pull.
6. Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Optionally, broil for the last 2-3 minutes for extra color, watching closely to avoid burning.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot, scooping through all layers for the best flavor combination.

Tips & Variations

• Use ground turkey or chicken as a lighter alternative to ground beef.
• Add diced onions or bell peppers to the beef while browning for extra flavor and texture.
• Try mixing in some crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
• Use leftover rice to make this dish quicker and reduce prep time.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat microwaving in short intervals until warmed through or use a covered baking dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15 minutes. For best texture, avoid freezing, as the cheese and rice texture may change.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cooked rice for this recipe?

Yes, frozen cooked rice works well. Just thaw it completely before using to ensure it mixes evenly with the garlic butter sauce.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it uncovered for a few hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Beefy Garlic Butter Rice Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.5 from 117 reviews

A hearty and comforting Beefy Garlic Butter Bowl combining browned ground beef, creamy garlic butter rice, and layers of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese, baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh parsley.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Cheese

• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Cook until the beef is fully browned with no pink remaining, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set aside.
2. Prepare Garlic Butter Rice: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add the cooked rice, beef broth, and heavy cream. Stir well to combine, ensuring the rice is evenly coated with the garlic butter mixture. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the rice becomes creamy.
3. Layer the Casserole: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Spread the creamy garlic butter rice evenly across the bottom of the dish. Layer the cooked ground beef over the rice, distributing it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef layer, followed by the mozzarella cheese on top, ensuring complete coverage for a perfect cheese pull.
4. Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top. For extra color, broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
5. Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set slightly. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for color and freshness. Serve hot, ensuring to scoop deep to get all the layers in each serving. Enjoy that incredible cheese pull!

Notes

• Do not overcook garlic when sautéing to avoid bitterness.
• Use freshly cooked rice or leftover rice that has been refrigerated for best texture.
• Drain excess fat from beef to avoid greasy casserole.
• Let casserole rest after baking to allow layers to set for easier serving.
• Broiling should be closely monitored to prevent the cheese from burning.
• Optional: Substitute beef broth with vegetable or chicken broth as preferred.

Keywords: beef casserole, garlic butter rice, cheesy beef bake, comfort food, dinner recipe, ground beef recipe