Ground beef and rice baked together with tomato and paprika until bubbling, a simple, hearty German family casserole.
This baked rice and ground beef casserole reflects the practical, filling style of German everyday home cooking, all the ingredients combining in one dish for a straightforward, minimal-cleanup family dinner. Ground beef is browned with onion and paprika before combining with rice, tomato and stock in a baking dish, the whole thing finished under a layer of melted cheese until bubbling and golden. A comforting, unfussy dish found in German households on busy weeknights, this casserole shows how simply combining a few good pantry staples can produce a satisfying, complete meal with very little active effort.
Serves 4
Brown the ground beef with onion in a skillet, about 8 minutes, then add garlic and paprika, cooking 1 minute.
Transfer the beef mixture to a baking dish and stir in rinsed rice, crushed tomatoes, beef stock, salt and pepper.
Cover with foil and bake at 190C/375F for 30 minutes.
Keep the dish covered for most of the baking time so the rice has enough steam and liquid to cook through fully before uncovering for the cheese.
Uncover, sprinkle cheese evenly over the top, and bake 8-10 more minutes until melted and bubbling.
Garnish with parsley and serve hot straight from the dish.
Keep the dish covered for most of the baking time so the rice has enough steam and liquid to cook through properly before you uncover it for the cheese.
Brown the ground beef and onion thoroughly before combining with the rice, since this step builds a lot of the dish's underlying flavor.
Check the rice for doneness before removing the foil — if it's still firm, cover again and bake a bit longer.
Adding diced bell pepper to the beef mixture gives extra vegetables and color.
A version with ground pork mixed in gives a slightly richer flavor.
Using a mix of cheeses, like gouda and a bit of parmesan, adds extra depth.
Refrigerate up to 4 days in an airtight container; reheat covered in a 180C/350F oven or in the microwave until warmed through.
Casseroles combining ground meat, rice and tomato reflect the practical, resourceful nature of German home cooking, particularly common in households looking for a filling, minimal-effort weeknight dinner using pantry staples.
Yes, though adjust the liquid and baking time slightly if using a different variety, since cooking times can vary.
Add a splash more hot stock, cover again with foil, and continue baking in 10-minute increments until the rice is fully tender.
It likely needed more liquid, or was baked uncovered for too long — make sure to keep it covered for most of the baking time to retain moisture.
Per serving (400g / 14.1 oz) · 4 servings total
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