French Onion Beef and Rice (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the Casserole

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
03 - 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
06 - 1 (10.5 oz) can French onion soup
07 - 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
08 - 1 cup beef broth
09 - 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ For the Topping

15 - 1 cup crispy fried onions

# Instructions:

01 - Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add sliced onions to the pan and cook until softened and caramelized, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
04 - Stir in Worcestershire sauce, French onion soup, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, rice, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix well.
05 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with foil.
06 - Bake for 45 minutes, then remove foil, stir, and check if rice is tender. If needed, bake another 10 minutes.
07 - Sprinkle cheddar, mozzarella, and crispy fried onions over the casserole. Bake uncovered for 5-10 more minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Let it sit for 5 minutes, then serve.

# Notes:

01 - Long-grain white rice works best. If using brown rice, add ½ cup more broth and increase baking time by 15-20 minutes.
02 - Swap cheddar for Swiss or Gruyère for a more classic French onion flavor.
03 - For a creamier texture, stir in ½ cup sour cream before baking.
04 - Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.