Savory Chinese Beef and Rice Casserole
This savory Chinese Beef and Rice Casserole is the ultimate one-dish meal that's perfect for weeknight dinners. Featured for ZWT6 in the Asian Region and adapted from Simple & Delicious Nov 09, this casserole combines lean ground beef with crunchy vegetables and delicate bean sprouts, all enveloped in a rich and creamy sauce. The dish is further elevated with tender long-grain rice and topped with crispy chow mein noodles for an irresistible crunch. Serve it to your family and watch them delight in every bite—a delicious, hearty meal that brings a taste of Asian cuisine to your dining table with minimal fuss.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
1 tablespoon (melted)
Flour
3 tablespoons (none)
Low sodium beef broth
1/2 cup (none)
1% low-fat milk
1/2 cup (none)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Pepper
1 teaspoon (to taste)
90% lean ground beef
2 lbs (none)
Sweet onion
1 cup (chopped)
Celery
1 cup (chopped)
Fresh bean sprouts
1 cup (rinsed & dried)
Low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup (none)
Long grain rice
1 cup (uncooked)
Water chestnuts
1 (8 ounce) can (sliced & drained)
Frozen peas
2 cups (thawed)
Chow mein noodles
1 (5 ounce) can (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Gradually whisk in the flour until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the salt and pepper.
3
Slowly add the beef broth and milk, whisking continuously to keep the mixture smooth. Return to medium heat and bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Set aside.
4
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and chopped celery until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat and return the mixture to the skillet.
5
Stir the thickened sauce into the beef mixture along with the rinsed bean sprouts and soy sauce. Bring to a boil.
6
Pour the beef mixture into a greased 3-quart baking dish. Add the uncooked rice and water chestnuts and stir to combine.
7
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
8
Remove the foil, stir in the thawed peas, and sprinkle the top with crispy chow mein noodles. Bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and rice is tender.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Chinese Beef and Rice Casserole?
It is a hearty one-dish meal that combines lean ground beef, crunchy vegetables, and bean sprouts in a creamy sauce, topped with crispy chow mein noodles.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
What type of beef is recommended for this casserole?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of 90% lean ground beef.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Do I need to cook the rice before adding it to the dish?
No, the recipe uses 1 cup of uncooked long grain rice.
What size baking dish is needed?
A greased 3-quart baking dish is required for this recipe.
How long does the casserole need to bake in total?
The casserole bakes for a total of 45 to 50 minutes: 30 minutes covered and 15 to 20 minutes uncovered.
What kind of sauce is used in the casserole?
A homemade sauce is made by whisking butter, flour, beef broth, and milk together until thickened.
When do I add the frozen peas?
The 2 cups of thawed frozen peas should be stirred in after the initial 30 minutes of baking.
What provides the crunchy topping?
A 5-ounce can of crispy chow mein noodles is sprinkled on top during the last stage of baking.
What type of milk is used in the sauce?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of 1% low-fat milk.
Are the bean sprouts fresh or canned?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of fresh bean sprouts that have been rinsed and dried.
What kind of onions are used?
One cup of chopped sweet onion is used for the base of the beef mixture.
How are the water chestnuts prepared?
The water chestnuts should be sliced and drained from an 8-ounce can before being added to the casserole.
Should I drain the fat from the ground beef?
Yes, after cooking the beef with onion and celery, you should drain any excess fat before proceeding.
Is soy sauce included in this recipe?
Yes, 1/4 cup of low sodium soy sauce is stirred into the beef and sauce mixture.
What type of broth is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of low sodium beef broth for the sauce.
How do I know when the rice is done?
The rice is ready when it is tender after the final 15 to 20 minutes of baking.
Do I need to cover the dish while baking?
The dish is baked covered with aluminum foil for the first 30 minutes and then uncovered for the remainder.
How much butter is needed for the sauce?
One tablespoon of butter is used to start the roux for the sauce.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
How much flour is used for the thickening agent?
Three tablespoons of flour are whisked into the melted butter.
What vegetables are chopped for the meat mixture?
One cup of sweet onion and one cup of celery are chopped and cooked with the beef.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized as a Rice dish.
Does this recipe use salt and pepper?
Yes, it uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper, added to taste.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients in total for this Savory Chinese Beef and Rice Casserole.
Is this a good recipe for weeknights?
Yes, it is described as an ultimate one-dish meal perfect for weeknight dinners with minimal fuss.
What region of cuisine does this dish represent?
This dish brings a taste of Asian cuisine to the dining table.
How do I prepare the sauce ingredients?
Melt butter, whisk in flour until smooth, then slowly add beef broth and milk while whisking continuously.
When should I add the rice?
The uncooked rice is added to the baking dish along with the beef mixture and water chestnuts before the first bake.