Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion and cook, breaking the beef apart with a spoon, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is softened, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain off excess fat.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper until the beef is evenly coated.
- Add the cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes with their juices, and the beef broth. Stir well until everything is combined into a saucy mixture. Remove from heat.
- Spread the uncooked rice in an even layer across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the beef mixture evenly over the rice, pressing down gently with the back of a spoon to ensure the rice is fully submerged in the liquid.
- Cover the baking dish very tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 50 to 55 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Carefully remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, and return to the oven uncovered for 10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and lightly golden.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.
Nutrition
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Reheat covered in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave until warmed through.
Healthy swap: Substitute ground turkey or lean ground beef (93/7) to reduce the fat content while keeping all the great flavor. Low-sodium beef broth and reduced-fat cheddar cheese are also easy ways to lighten it up without sacrificing taste.
Seasoning tip: Taste the beef mixture before it goes into the baking dish and adjust salt and pepper to your liking — this is the best time to get the seasoning just right before everything bakes together.