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French Onion Ground Beef Rice Casserole featured image showing a cheesy, bubbly casserole dish ready to be served.

French Onion Ground Beef Rice Casserole

This French Onion Ground Beef Rice Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines caramelized onions, seasoned ground beef, and fluffy rice, all topped with melted cheese. It's an easy-to-make weeknight meal that's sure to become a family favorite.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 52 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 17 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, French
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups cooked white rice
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large bowl
  • Oven
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Stirring spoons
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • Grater

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are deeply golden brown and caramelized (about 20-30 minutes). Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir in the thyme, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Sprinkle the flour over the ground beef and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  6. Gradually pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  7. Add the Worcestershire sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  8. Stir in the caramelized onions.
  9. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  10. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice and the ground beef mixture. Stir well to combine.
  11. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
  12. Top with the shredded Gruyere cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
  13. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
  14. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don't overcrowd the pan when caramelizing the onions. Use a good quality beef broth. Don't overcook the rice. You can substitute Gruyere cheese with Swiss, provolone, or a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan. White rice can be substituted with brown rice or quinoa. You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake it just before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.