Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Casserole with Spinach and Cheese Recipe

Introduction

This Ground Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice is a hearty and flavorful meal that’s both comforting and low in carbs. Combining savory ground beef, tender spinach, and creamy cauliflower rice, it’s topped with melted cheese for the perfect finish. Ideal for busy weeknights, this dish is easy to prepare and satisfying to eat.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 6 ounces fresh baby spinach
• 10 ounces frozen cauliflower rice, cooked according to the directions on the bag
• 1 cup sour cream, or plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk, if needed
• 8 ounces shredded Italian blend cheese, or any other shredded cheese you prefer

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
2. Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 20 seconds.
3. Step 3: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the beef is fully browned.
4. Step 4: Add the baby spinach in batches if needed, stirring frequently, and cook for about 1 minute until the spinach is wilted.
5. Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat. Drain any excess liquid and set the meat and spinach mixture aside.
6. Step 6: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the cooked cauliflower rice, sour cream, butter, and dried basil. Stir until fully combined and creamy. If the mixture isn’t melting together well, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk to help.
7. Step 7: Add the ground beef and spinach mixture to the baking dish. Stir everything until well incorporated.
8. Step 8: Top the casserole with shredded cheese evenly.
9. Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese has melted.
10. Step 10: Remove from oven and let the casserole stand for 7 to 10 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use plain yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter option without sacrificing creaminess.
• Add some chopped mushrooms or bell peppers with the onions for extra flavor and texture.
• Swap the Italian seasoning for taco seasoning to give this casserole a Mexican twist.
• If you can’t find cauliflower rice, finely chop fresh cauliflower florets as a substitute and cook them before using.
• Use any cheese you like, such as cheddar or mozzarella, depending on your preference.

Storage

Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in the oven at 350˚F until heated through, or microwave individual servings until hot. This casserole also freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cauliflower rice instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh cauliflower rice works well. Just pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until rice-sized, then cook it briefly before mixing into the casserole to remove excess moisture.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping?

Absolutely. This casserole keeps well in the fridge for a few days and reheats nicely, making it a convenient option for meal prepping lunches or dinners ahead of time.

Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Casserole with Spinach and Cheese Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 55 reviews

A hearty and flavorful Ground Beef Casserole featuring tender cauliflower rice and baby spinach, blended with creamy sour cream and topped with melted Italian blend cheese. This comforting dish is easy to prepare and baked to perfection for a satisfying meal.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Carb

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef Mixture

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 6 ounces fresh baby spinach

Cauliflower Rice Mixture

• 10 ounces frozen cauliflower rice, cooked according to the directions on the bag
• 1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk, if needed

Topping

• 8 ounces shredded Italian blend cheese or any preferred shredded cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375˚F (190˚C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
2. Sauté Onions and Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 2 minutes until slightly translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 20 seconds until fragrant.
3. Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with Italian Seasoning, sweet paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until the beef is completely browned and no pink remains.
4. Wilt Spinach: Add the fresh baby spinach to the skillet, possibly in batches depending on skillet size. Stir frequently and cook for another minute or until the spinach is wilted and combined well with the beef mixture.
5. Drain and Set Aside: Remove the skillet from heat and drain any excess liquid from the beef and spinach mixture. Set this aside.
6. Prepare Cauliflower Mixture: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the cooked cauliflower rice, sour cream (or plain yogurt), room temperature butter, and dried basil. Stir well until the mixture is creamy and well incorporated. If the sour cream and butter aren’t melting evenly, stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk. The cauliflower rice should be warm enough to help melt the butter smoothly.
7. Combine Beef with Cauliflower Mixture: Add the beef and spinach mixture into the baking dish with the cauliflower rice mixture. Stir everything together until all components are evenly combined.
8. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded Italian blend cheese evenly over the casserole top.
9. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese has completely melted and is slightly golden.
10. Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 7 to 10 minutes before cutting into portions and serving. This resting time allows flavors to meld and the casserole to set for easier serving.

Notes

• You can substitute plain yogurt for sour cream to reduce fat content.
• Fresh spinach can be replaced with frozen spinach if needed; just ensure it’s well drained before adding.
• Milk is optional and used only if the cauliflower mixture is not creamy enough to blend smoothly.
• Use any shredded cheese available, such as mozzarella or cheddar, for different flavor profiles.
• Letting the casserole rest before serving improves texture and flavor meld.

Keywords: ground beef casserole, cauliflower rice, low carb casserole, healthy beef recipe, easy dinner casserole, baked beef dish, creamy casserole, low carb dinner