If you’re craving a cozy, no-fuss dinner that the whole family will love, this French Onion Ground Beef Rice Casserole is exactly what you need. Loaded with savory ground beef, tender onions, fluffy rice, and a creamy French onion–inspired sauce, this comforting casserole comes together quickly and bakes up bubbly with a golden, cheesy topping. It’s the kind of recipe that feels special but fits perfectly into a busy weeknight routine.
Why You’ll Love This French Onion Ground Beef Rice Casserole
This casserole checks all the right boxes for an easy dinner idea. It’s hearty, creamy, and packed with rich flavor thanks to the combination of French onion soup and cream of mushroom soup. Using cooked rice helps everything come together fast, and the mix of cheddar and mozzarella creates that irresistible melty finish. Best of all, it’s a one-dish meal that reheats beautifully, making leftovers just as good as the first night.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this French onion–inspired casserole, you’ll need simple, pantry-friendly ingredients:
- Ground beef – hearty and satisfying
- Olive oil – for sautéing
- Yellow onion – adds sweetness and depth
- Garlic – boosts savory flavor
- Cooked white rice – fluffy and filling
- Cream of mushroom soup – creamy base
- Condensed French onion soup – signature flavor
- Sour cream – adds richness
- Worcestershire sauce – savory depth
- Salt & black pepper – simple seasoning
- Sharp cheddar cheese – bold, cheesy flavor
- Mozzarella cheese – melty and mild
- Fresh parsley (optional) – for garnish
How to Make French Onion Ground Beef Rice Casserole
Step 1: Prep the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a casserole dish.
Step 2: Cook the Beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic, then add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
Step 3: Build the Creamy Mixture
Season the beef with salt and pepper. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, cooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, French onion soup, and sour cream. Mix until everything is well combined and creamy.
Step 4: Assemble
Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top.
Step 5: Bake
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on top. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option
- Use brown rice or jasmine rice if you prefer
- Add sautéed mushrooms for extra texture
- Try Swiss or provolone cheese for a stronger French onion flavor
- Make it ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake
Serving Ideas & Storage
Serve this casserole with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
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Easy French Onion Ground Beef Rice Casserole
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This French Onion Ground Beef Rice Casserole is creamy, cheesy comfort food made easy. Savory beef, tender onions, fluffy rice, and a rich French onion–mushroom sauce bake together under a golden cheddar-mozzarella topping—perfect for busy weeknights and delicious leftovers.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cooked white rice
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed French onion soup
1 cup sour cream
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add ground beef and cook 6–8 minutes, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
5. Season with salt and black pepper, then stir in Worcestershire sauce.
6. Add cooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, condensed French onion soup, and sour cream. Stir until fully combined and creamy.
7. Spread mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish.
8. Top evenly with cheddar and mozzarella.
9. Bake uncovered 25–30 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the cheese is lightly golden.
10. Rest 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve.
Notes
Make-ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, cover, refrigerate, then bake (add 5–10 minutes if baking from cold).
Rice tip: Day-old rice works best, or cool freshly cooked rice before mixing so it stays fluffy.
Protein swap: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
Cheese swap: Swiss or provolone adds extra “French onion” flavor.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days; reheat until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~420 |
| Protein | ~25g |
| Carbs | ~28g |
| Fat | ~24g |
| Fiber | ~2g |
| Sodium | ~780mg |
Final Thoughts
This French Onion Ground Beef Rice Casserole is comfort food at its best—simple ingredients, rich flavor, and plenty of cheesy goodness. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or planning leftovers for the week, this casserole is sure to earn a spot in your regular dinner rotation.