Description
This Sour Cream Beef and Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal combining tender ground beef simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce with creamy cottage cheese and sour cream mixed into fluffy instant rice, all topped with melted cheddar cheese and baked to perfection. It’s a quick and easy recipe ideal for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Dairy Mixture
- 1½ cups instant white rice
- 1½ cups water
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Beef Sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- â…› tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF to ensure it’s ready when you assemble the casserole.
- Cook Rice: Bring 1½ cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in the instant white rice, cover, and remove from heat. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the water is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown 1 pound of lean ground beef. Once browned, drain off any excess fat, then return the beef to the skillet.
- Add Seasonings and Simmer: To the beef, add ⅛ teaspoon of ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, 1 can (8 ounces) of tomato sauce, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes to develop flavor.
- Mix Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream and Rice: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice with 1 cup cottage cheese and 1 cup sour cream, stirring until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Lightly spray a 9×9-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Spread the rice and dairy mixture evenly in the bottom of the dish. Spoon the meat sauce evenly over the rice layer.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- You can substitute the cottage cheese with ricotta for a smoother texture if preferred.
- For extra flavor, add chopped onions or bell peppers when browning the beef.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the beef sauce.
- This casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated; just increase baking time slightly if baked from cold.
- Instant rice cooks quickly, but be sure to let it sit covered off the heat as directed to avoid mushy texture.
