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Ground Beef & Rice Casserole with Cheddar Crust

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🥩🧀 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.

See also  Whipped these up for our last game night and everyone was all over them!

7️⃣ Serve & enjoy!
• Let it cool slightly and serve warm. 😍

🔥 Tips & Variations:

✔️ Want more spice? Add a pinch of cumin or smoked paprika.
✔️ More veggies? Mix in zucchini, corn, or kidney beans.
✔️ Low-carb option? Swap rice for cauliflower rice.

⏳ Baking time: Approx. 20 minutes

😍 Enjoy your hearty and cheesy ground beef & rice casserole!