Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Ultimate Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake is a game-changer for several reasons. First, it’s a complete one-dish meal that eliminates the need for multiple pots and pans, saving you time on both cooking and cleanup. The combination of savory ground beef and umami-rich mushrooms creates a depth of flavor that’s both sophisticated and comforting. The rice cooks perfectly in the creamy sauce, absorbing all the delicious flavors while maintaining its texture.

What makes this recipe particularly appealing is its versatility and convenience. You can easily customize it with your favorite vegetables or adjust the seasonings to suit your family’s preferences. It’s also budget-friendly, using affordable ingredients that are readily available at any grocery store. The dish reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd during gatherings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 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)

How to Make Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dish Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink, drain any excess fat.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables Add the diced onion and chopped mushrooms to the skillet with the cooked beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the mushrooms have released their moisture. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 4: Combine the Base Ingredients In your prepared baking dish, combine the uncooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, and beef broth. Stir well to ensure the rice is evenly distributed and the soup is fully incorporated.

Step 5: Add the Beef Mixture Transfer the cooked beef and vegetable mixture to the baking dish and stir everything together until well combined. The mixture should be evenly distributed throughout the dish.

Step 6: Bake the Casserole Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Step 7: Add Final Touches Remove the foil and stir in the sour cream until well incorporated. If using cheese, sprinkle it evenly over the top and return to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese melts and begins to bubble.

Helpful Tips

To ensure your Ultimate Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake turns out perfectly every time, use long-grain white rice rather than short-grain varieties, as it holds its shape better during the extended baking process. When browning the ground beef, don’t overcrowd the pan and allow it to develop a nice sear for maximum flavor development.

For the mushrooms, choose varieties like cremini, white button, or baby bella mushrooms, which hold up well during baking and provide excellent flavor. Make sure to dice them uniformly so they cook evenly. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can substitute half of the beef broth with red wine, which will add depth to the overall dish.

Always check the rice for doneness by inserting a fork into the center of the casserole. The rice should be tender but not mushy. If the liquid isn’t fully absorbed after the initial baking time, continue cooking in 10-minute intervals until the desired consistency is reached.

Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6-8 people
Difficulty Level: Easy
Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Dietary Considerations: Can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free cream of mushroom soup

Notes

This Ultimate Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake is incredibly adaptable to your family’s preferences and dietary needs. You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option, though you may need to add a tablespoon of oil when cooking to prevent sticking. For a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with additional mushrooms or lentils, and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

The dish can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator before baking. If baking from cold, add an additional 10-15 minutes to the cooking time. For extra richness, you can add a layer of cream cheese along with the sour cream, which will create an even more luxurious texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but you’ll need to increase the liquid by about 1/2 cup and extend the baking time by 15-20 minutes, as brown rice takes longer to cook and requires more moisture.

What if I don’t have cream of mushroom soup?
You can substitute with cream of celery soup or make a simple white sauce using butter, flour, milk, and seasonings. The flavor will be slightly different but equally delicious.

Can I freeze this casserole?
Absolutely! This casserole freezes well for up to 3 months. Freeze it before baking for best results, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from frozen.

How do I know when the rice is fully cooked?
The rice should be tender when pierced with a fork, and most of the liquid should be absorbed. If there’s still too much liquid after the recommended baking time, continue cooking uncovered in 10-minute intervals.

Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Yes! Diced bell peppers, corn, peas, or carrots work wonderfully in this dish. Add heartier vegetables like carrots with the onions and mushrooms, while softer vegetables like peas can be stirred in during the last 15 minutes of baking.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover Ultimate Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, or reheat larger portions in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

For longer storage, this casserole can be frozen for up to 3 months. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or wrap tightly in aluminum foil and plastic wrap. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. When reheating from frozen, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

If the reheated casserole seems dry, add a splash of beef broth or milk to restore moisture. The flavors often improve after a day or two, making leftovers just as delicious as the original meal.

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Conclusion

This Ultimate Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, you can create a meal that satisfies both the stomach and the soul. The combination of tender beef, earthy mushrooms, and perfectly cooked rice in a creamy sauce makes this dish a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a busy weeknight or preparing a dish for a potluck gathering, this recipe delivers every time. Its make-ahead friendly nature and excellent reheating qualities make it a practical choice for meal planning, while its rich, comforting flavors ensure it will become a regular in your recipe rotation. Give this Ultimate Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake a try, and discover why one-dish meals are the secret to stress-free cooking.

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