Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Casserole with Spinach and Cheese Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375˚F (190˚C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Drain and Set Aside: Remove the skillet from heat and drain any excess liquid from the beef and spinach mixture. Set this aside.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded Italian blend cheese evenly over the casserole top.
- 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.
- 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
