Description

This easy French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole combines savory caramelized onions, hearty lean ground beef, and fluffy rice baked to golden perfection with melted cheese. A comforting one-pot meal ready in under an hour, it’s a family-friendly, budget-conscious dish with rich flavors inspired by classic French onion soup.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Dairy

1 lb lean ground beef
1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded (or mix of mozzarella and cheddar)
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (optional, for mix)
2 tbsp butter

Vegetables and Aromatics

3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Grains and Broth

1 cup white or brown long-grain rice, uncooked
2 1/2 cups beef broth

Seasonings and Oils

1 packet French onion soup mix (gluten-free if needed)
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Caramelize the Onions: Slice onions thinly. Heat butter and olive oil over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Slowly cook onions, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes until golden brown and sweetly fragrant.
Brown the Ground Beef: Push onions to the side of the skillet, add ground beef, season with salt and pepper. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink, breaking apart with a spoon for even texture.
Combine Rice and Broth: Stir in uncooked rice, minced garlic, and French onion soup mix into the skillet. Pour in beef broth, mix well, and bring to a gentle simmer so the rice absorbs the flavorful liquid.
Transfer to Baking Dish: Move the mixture into a greased casserole dish. Evenly sprinkle shredded Gruyere and/or mozzarella cheese on top for a rich, bubbly crust.
Bake Until Golden: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown and rice is tender. Let the casserole rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Slow caramelizing of onions is essential for deep flavor – do not rush this step.
Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and improve casserole texture.
Choose long-grain rice to maintain fluffy texture without becoming mushy.
Taste and adjust salt before baking since the French onion soup mix adds seasoning.
Allow the casserole to rest after baking so it firms up and serves easier.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 380
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: French onion casserole, ground beef casserole, rice casserole, comfort food, easy weeknight dinner, caramelized onions, baked casserole