Description
This Cheesy Beef and Rice Bake is a comforting and delicious dish that combines ground beef, sausage, and melty cheddar cheese, perfect for any family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound beef sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and beef sausage together. Break the meat apart with a spoon as it browns. Cook until no longer pink and fully browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the Vegetables: Stir in the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant. The smell at this stage is incredible—savory and comforting.
- Combine the Base: Add the uncooked rice, beef broth, diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together thoroughly. The rice will absorb all that rich flavor as it bakes.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover tightly with foil. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 45–50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven uncovered for another 5–10 minutes, until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly layer.
- Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps everything settle and makes scooping easier.
- When you dig in, you will taste the richness of the beef, the softness of perfectly cooked rice, and that creamy layer of melted cheese tying it all together.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 90mg