Ground Beef & Rice Casserole with Cheddar Crust

🥩🧀 Ground Beef & Rice Casserole with Cheddar Crust – Hearty & Comforting!

This creamy, cheesy, and flavorful casserole is the perfect comfort dish for busy weeknights.

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4):
• 🥩 400 g ground beef (beef or mixed)
• 🍚 200 g rice (e.g., basmati or long-grain)
• 🧅 1 onion, diced
• 🧄 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 🌶️ 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 🍅 1 can (400 g) diced tomatoes
• 🥫 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 🛢️ 1 tbsp olive oil
• 🧂 Salt & pepper to taste
• 🌿 1 tsp oregano or thyme (dried)
• 🌶️ A pinch of chili flakes (optional for heat)
• 🥛 100 ml heavy cream or crème fraîche
• 🧀 150 g shredded cheddar cheese
• 🧈 1 tsp butter (for greasing the baking dish)

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1️⃣ Cook the rice:
• Cook the rice according to package instructions in salted water. Set aside.

2️⃣ Brown the beef:
• Heat olive oil in a pan.
• Add ground beef and cook until browned.
• Stir in onion, garlic, and bell pepper, and sauté for 5 minutes.

3️⃣ Prepare the sauce:
• Stir in tomato paste and cook briefly.
• Add diced tomatoes, spices, and cream, and let simmer for about 10 minutes.

4️⃣ Combine everything:
• Mix the cooked rice into the beef mixture and stir well.

5️⃣ Assemble the casserole:
• Grease a baking dish with butter.
• Spread the mixture evenly in the dish and top with shredded cheddar.

6️⃣ Bake:
• Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F, top/bottom heat).
• Bake for about 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden brown.