French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:
Two cups of cooked rice, either brown or white
One can (10.5 oz) Soup with French onions
One cup of cheddar cheese, shredded

One-half cup of sour cream (with an extra half cup for the optional garnish)
Half a teaspoon of powdered garlic
Half a teaspoon of black pepper
Half a teaspoon of salt
One tablespoon of olive oil
¾ cup of crispy fried onions (for garnish, if desired)
¼ cup finely chopped green onions (for garnish, if desired)

Directions:
Warm up the oven:
Lightly butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Put it away.

Prepare the ground beef by first heating the olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion for four to five minutes, or until it becomes tender. Break up the ground beef with a spoon after adding it and cooking it until it turns brown. Empty the skillet of extra fat.
Combine the casserole Ingredients

3. Put the cooked rice, sour cream, shredded cheddar, French onion soup, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a big bowl. Mix thoroughly. Stir to incorporate the sautéed onions and cooked beef into the mixture. Optional Creamy Topping:
4. Combine the extra ½ cup sour cream and ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese in a small bowl. When the casserole is assembled, evenly distribute this mixture over it.
5. Evenly distribute the casserole mixture into the baking dish that has been prepared. Make sure the creamy topping is placed evenly on top if you plan to use it.

Bake:

6. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and the top is lightly brown and bubbling. Add Fried Onions:
7. If using crispy fried onions, sprinkle them over the casserole during the last 5 minutes of baking to ensure they stay crunchy. Serve and garnish:
8. If desired, top the casserole with chopped green onions after letting it cool for a few minutes.
9. Serve: For a full, filling supper, pair with steamed veggies or a simple green salad.
   Prep Time: 10 minutes
   Cook Time: 30 minutes
   Total Time: 40 minutes
   Servings: 6

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