Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
• Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat, then add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook until vegetables are soft.
3. Combine Ingredients: Add the uncooked rice to the skillet and stir to coat. Pour in the beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and drained diced tomatoes. Stir well and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme if using.
4. Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the beef and rice mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
5. Add Cheese: Remove the foil and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and the remaining cheese if desired. Enjoy!