Beef And Rice Casserole, Perfect For Lazy People!

I was so determined to have a family and I’m so grateful for it, but it’s a little less exciting when it’s time to make them dinner. And with four kids, it’s super hard to find something that they all like. 

But, Beef and Rice Casserole is one of those dishes!

Ok, that’s not entirely true.  Since deciding to write this post, I found out that my 14 year old has only been pretending to like it…for years.  But, since I didn’t know that and he clearly has terrible taste; I’m sticking with my original statement! 🙂

Over the years, I’ve gotten lazier.  I actually love to cook and I’m told I’m pretty good at it. But, I don’t always remember the correct ingredients or have a clean bowl to mix the ingredients that I do have in.  So instead of Cooking For Dummies, this is basically “Cooking For Lazy People!”

Beef And Rice Casserole is awesome because it only has 4 ingredients and they are all inexpensive.  It is my go-to when I want an easy meal and when I want a cheap meal.  This one is very popular with me on the day before payday.  😉

For a small family of three to four people (or a larger family without teenagers!), this is what you need.  But, I have six so I usually double or even triple it.  That’s why my pictures don’t match the amounts so forgive me for that.

Ok,

1 pound ground Beef
(Darn, I forgot to take a picture of the beef.  But, you’ve seen it before, right?)

A bag of Rice

 

 

 

 

 

8 ozs of Tomato Sauce (small can)
(You’ll notice this is not a picture of Tomato Sauce.  But, it is a picture of what I thought was Tomato Sauce when I grabbed it from the shelf in the store.)

 

 

 

 

1 small can of Cream of Mushroom Soup

 

 

 

 

 

So, the complicated process of making this is as follows:

1. Brown the ground beef.

2. Fully make the rice according to the directions on the bag.  I’ve lost track of how much rice you actually need, but what works for me when I’m doubling is making about 3 servings.  Then you add it to the casserole until it’s obvious that it’s too much.  Then you mix the rest into the dogs’ food. 🙂  (If you’re making a casserole for the small family, I would go with 1 serving.)

Also, sometimes if you realize that you bought Tomato Paste instead of Tomato Sauce, you have to google what to do.  Then you find out that you can add 3/4 of water for each cup of paste to make it saucy and voila, you have sauce!  Sure the casserole is not such a time-saving masterpiece anymore but it is educational.  So, there you go!

Look!  It’s Tomato Paste!

Look! It’s now Tomato Sauce!

3. Mix it all together.

Super easy, right?

To make it even easier, skip the bowl and mix it all together in the baking dish.  I don’t know if that’s super tacky but it saves a bowl and I really can’t figure out why it would matter.

4. Cook it in the oven at 375 for about 20 minutes or when it looks done.

 

And to completely do it Emily style, make sure to include some vegetables that no one will want to eat.  But, at least, you can say that you prepared a healthy meal! (Also, make sure to open it the wrong way.)

 

Anyway, that’s one of my favorites!  I’ll share more recipes if anyone enjoys reading this.  So, more Cooking For Lazy People coming soon!  Maybe. 😉