Italian Rice Casserole is a delicious one-dish meal that brings together the flavors of pizza in a convenient slow cooker recipe. This hearty and satisfying casserole features ground beef, long-grain rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and a combination of mozzarella and cottage cheese. It’s a versatile dish that offers something for everyone to enjoy, making it a perfect option for family dinners or potluck gatherings.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound (455 g) ground beef
- 1 cup (160 g) chopped onion
- 3 cups (555 g) uncooked long-grain rice
- 3 cups (735 g) no-salt-added tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 6 ounces (170 g) shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup (225 g) low-fat cottage cheese
- 4 cups (950 ml) water
PREPARATIONS
- In a nonstick skillet, brown the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat.
- In a slow cooker, combine the browned beef mixture with the uncooked long-grain rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, shredded mozzarella, low-fat cottage cheese, and water.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 6 hours, or until the rice is tender and the flavors have melded together.
YIELD
- 8 servings
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING
- 295 g water
- 508 calories (26% from fat, 21% from protein, 53% from carbs)
- 26 g protein
- 14 g total fat
- 7 g saturated fat
- 5 g monounsaturated fat
- 1 g polyunsaturated fat
- 66 g carbs
- 3 g fiber
- 5 g sugar
- 336 mg phosphorus
- 232 mg calcium
- 5 mg iron
- 302 mg sodium
- 658 mg potassium
- 451 IU vitamin A
- 32 mg ATE vitamin E
- 14 mg vitamin C
- 55 mg cholesterol
Italian Rice Casserole is a flavorful and convenient one-dish meal that captures the essence of pizza in a slow cooker recipe. With its combination of ground beef, long-grain rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and a cheesy topping, this casserole is sure to please the whole family.
The recipe begins with browning ground beef and onions, which adds depth of flavor to the dish. Then, the beef mixture is combined with uncooked rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, shredded mozzarella, low-fat cottage cheese, and water in the slow cooker. As the casserole cooks on high for 6 hours, the rice absorbs the flavors of the sauce and seasonings, creating a delicious and satisfying meal.
The Italian Rice Casserole offers a balanced combination of macronutrients, with a good amount of protein from the ground beef and a mix of carbohydrates from the rice and tomato sauce. The addition of cheese adds a creamy and cheesy element to the dish, making it even more appealing.
This casserole is versatile and can be customized to suit personal preferences. Feel free to add your favorite pizza toppings such as sliced pepperoni, bell peppers, or black olives to enhance the flavor profile. Additionally, you can serve it with a side salad or steamed vegetables to round out the meal and add more nutritional value.
Italian Rice Casserole is a crowd-pleasing dish that can be prepared in advance and is perfect for gatherings or potluck dinners. Its hearty and comforting flavors make it a favorite among both kids and adults. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for a quick and easy meal the next day.
In conclusion, Italian Rice Casserole is a delightful combination of classic pizza flavors in a convenient one-dish meal. Its simple preparation, flavorful ingredients, and cheesy goodness make it a winner for any occasion. Give this recipe a try and savor the taste of pizza in a comforting and satisfying casserole.
