Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake

🍄🥩 Mediterranean Creamy Beef & Mushroom Rice Bake

⏱ Prep Time

15 minutes

🔥 Bake Time

45–50 minutes

🍽 Servings

4–6

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🛒 Ingredients

🥩 Beef Layer

• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef

• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

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🍚 Rice Layer

• 1 cup uncooked rice (basmati or brown)

• 2 cups beef or chicken broth

• ½ tsp salt

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🥛 Creamy Sauce

• ¾ cup Greek yogurt (or half yogurt + half cream)

• ½ cup milk

• ½ cup grated mozzarella or Parmesan

• 1 tbsp flour (optional, for thicker texture)

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🧀 Topping (Optional)

• ¼ cup shredded mozzarella or feta

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F. Lightly grease a baking dish.

2. Cook rice
   Combine rice, broth, and salt. Simmer 10 minutes until partially cooked. Set aside.

3. Prepare beef & mushrooms
   Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté onion until soft. Add garlic and cook briefly.
   Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in mushrooms, paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until mushrooms soften.

4. Make creamy sauce
   Whisk yogurt, milk, cheese, and flour (if using).

5. Assemble bake
   Spread rice evenly in baking dish. Top with beef–mushroom mixture. Pour creamy sauce over everything.

6. Bake covered for 35 minutes.

7. Uncover, sprinkle topping if using, and bake 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.

8. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

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🌿 Mediterranean Touches

• Olive oil instead of butter

• Herbs & mushrooms for depth

• Greek yogurt for lighter creaminess

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🔄 Variations

• Low-carb: replace rice with cauliflower rice

• Extra veggies: add spinach or zucchini

• Dairy-free: use plant yogurt & dairy-free cheese