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Ultimate Creamy French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole with Caramelized Onions

A serving of french onion ground beef and rice casserole with a crispy onion topping on a white plate.
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This hearty, one-dish casserole brings the deep, savory flavor of French onion soup into a simple weeknight meal featuring seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and a creamy, cheesy topping. It is pure comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed French onion soup, undiluted
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup crispy fried onions (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes until the onions are deeply softened and caramelized. Remove the onions from the skillet and set them aside.
  3. Add the ground beef to the same skillet. Cook over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir the dried thyme, salt, and pepper into the cooked ground beef.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the browned beef mixture, the caramelized onions, undiluted French onion soup, cream of mushroom soup, and uncooked rice. Mix all ingredients together well.
  6. Pour the entire mixture into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
  7. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  8. Bake for 45 minutes.
  9. Remove the foil. Sprinkle the Swiss cheese and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
  10. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  11. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle the crispy fried onions over the melted cheese. Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving this easy ground beef recipe.

Notes

  • For a richer French onion flavor, substitute 1/2 cup of the beef broth with dry red wine before adding the liquids to the beef mixture.
  • If you prefer a creamier result, stir in 1/2 cup of sour cream with the condensed soups before mixing with the rice and beef.
  • You can prepare this entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the initial covered baking time if baking from cold.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/french-onion-ground-beef-and-rice-casserole/