Description
This Ground Beef and Broccoli Bake is a cozy, family-friendly casserole packed with tender beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and fluffy rice, all tucked under a golden, bubbly cheddar topping. It comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients and bakes into a weeknight dinner that’s hearty, comforting, and satisfying without a lot of fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, bite-sized)
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
- Nonstick spray or a little extra oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish (about 8×8 inches or similar).
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, then sauté for 2–3 minutes, until the onion is softened and translucent.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, for 5–7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Drain off excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the broccoli florets, cooked rice, beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well to combine.
- Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is crisp-tender and the flavors come together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Transfer the beef and broccoli mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, golden around the edges, and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set slightly.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (85–90%) to keep the casserole hearty but not greasy.
- Fresh or frozen broccoli both work; if using frozen, no need to thaw just simmer a minute or two longer.
- You can swap the cheddar for a cheese blend like cheddar-jack or mozzarella for a milder flavor.
- For extra richness, stir in a splash of cream or a spoonful of sour cream before baking.
- If your skillet is oven-safe, you can bake right in the skillet instead of transferring to another dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 700 mg (approx., will vary with broth and soy sauce)
- Fat: 18 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 8 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g (approx., from ground beef)
- Carbohydrates: 20 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 3 g (approx.)
- Protein: 25 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 80 mg (approx.)
Keywords: ground beef and broccoli bake, ground beef casserole, broccoli rice bake, cheesy beef bake, easy weeknight dinner