Beefy Garlic Butter Cheese Casserole Recipe
This Beefy Garlic Butter Bowl is a comforting layered casserole featuring savory browned ground beef, creamy garlic butter rice, and a melty blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses baked to golden perfection. It’s a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners or meal prep, delivering a rich and cheesy bowl that’s easy to make and deeply satisfying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef
Rice Mixture
- 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
Cheese Toppings
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- 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. 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.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Rice: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in cooked rice, beef broth, and heavy cream. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until liquid is mostly absorbed and rice is creamy, stirring occasionally.
- 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. Layer the cooked ground beef evenly over the rice. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the beef, then cover with mozzarella cheese for a cheesy top layer.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheeses are melted, bubbly, and golden brown. For extra color, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to set slightly. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top. Serve hot, scooping deep to enjoy all layers with every bite.
Notes
- Use freshly cooked rice for best texture; day-old rice can be too dry.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper depending on your beef broth’s saltiness.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though cream adds richness.
- Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat kick.
- This dish keeps well refrigerated and reheats nicely, making it great for leftovers.
Keywords: beef casserole, garlic butter rice, cheesy beef bake, comfort food, easy dinner
