🍽️ Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake
📝 Description:
This Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake is a hearty, one-pan comfort meal perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring savory ground beef, earthy mushrooms, and creamy rice, it’s a filling dish the whole family will love. The addition of sour cream and cream of mushroom soup gives it a luscious texture, while beef broth deepens the flavor. Optional cheddar cheese adds a gooey topping!
🧾 Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
👨🍳 Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Add vegetables: Add chopped mushrooms and diced onion to the skillet. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, until soft.
- Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or in the skillet (if oven-safe), combine the beef mixture with uncooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bake: Pour mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Add cheese: Remove foil, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese (if using), and bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
🍴 Servings:
Makes 6 generous servings.
💡 Tips:
- Rice options: You can substitute brown rice but increase the liquid slightly and bake longer (about 15–20 minutes extra).
- Make ahead: Assemble everything ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to eat (may need 5–10 extra minutes).
- Vegetable add-ins: Add frozen peas, diced carrots, or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Cheese choice: Try mozzarella, provolone, or a blend for a different cheesy twist.
⚖️ Nutritional Information (Per Serving, based on 6 servings):
- Calories: ~420 kcal
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: ~950mg
(Note: Nutritional values are approximate and can vary with ingredients used.)
✅ Health Benefits:
- Protein-rich: Provides a good amount of protein from beef and cheese to support muscle health.
- Iron and B12: Ground beef is a great source of iron and vitamin B12 for energy and red blood cell support.
- Comfort food: This warm, creamy dish can boost mood and satiety on chilly days or stressful evenings.
❓ Q & A:
Q: Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
A: Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken works well. You may need to add a bit more seasoning to enhance the flavor.
Q: Can I freeze this dish?
A: Yes! Freeze either before or after baking. Wrap tightly. Reheat from frozen at 350°F for 30–40 minutes (covered), or thaw overnight in the fridge and bake.
Q: Is this dish gluten-free?
A: Not as written, because many canned cream soups contain gluten. To make it gluten-free, use a certified gluten-free cream of mushroom soup or make your own.
Q: What can I use instead of sour cream?
A: Greek yogurt or cream cheese (softened and mixed in) are good alternatives with a similar creamy texture.
Q: Can I use pre-cooked rice?
A: You can, but reduce the broth by at least half (or more) since the rice won’t absorb as much liquid. Reduce baking time to about 25–30 minutes.