One-Pot Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

This american-inspired beef ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, white long-grain rice, beef broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup white long-grain rice
• 2 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup diced onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup frozen peas

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup white long-grain rice, 2 1/2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes.
4. Step 4: After 18 minutes, stir in 1/2 cup frozen peas and 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Cover again and cook for 5 more minutes until the cheese melts and peas are heated through.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes before serving.