Cheesy Mushroom Meatball Rice Bake
Description
This Cheesy Mushroom Meatball Rice Bake is the ultimate cozy comfort meal loaded with juicy meatballs, tender rice, savory mushrooms, and melted cheese baked until bubbly and golden. It’s rich, hearty, and perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or cold evenings when you want something warm and satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Bake
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Form into small meatballs.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs until mostly cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté mushrooms until golden.
- Stir in garlic powder, Italian seasoning, beef broth, and cream.
- Add cooked rice and mix well.
- Transfer rice mixture to a greased baking dish.
- Top with meatballs and sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Tips
- Use brown rice for extra fiber.
- Add spinach for more vegetables.
- Swap beef meatballs for turkey or chicken meatballs.
- Broil for 2 minutes at the end for extra golden cheese.
Q & A
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole and refrigerate before baking.
Can I freeze it?
Absolutely. Freeze before or after baking for up to 2 months.
What mushrooms work best?
Cremini, white button, or baby bella mushrooms all work great.
What cheese can I use besides mozzarella?
Try provolone, Monterey Jack, or Swiss cheese for different flavors.
