Easy Leftover Rice and Ground Beef Casserole (Escondidinho)

Leftover Rice and Ground Beef Casserole (Escondidinho) is our suggestion for today’s lunch. The best part of this recipe, besides the amazing flavor, is that it’s the perfect way to use up leftover rice. Let’s get started!

Ingredients for the Rice and Ground Beef Casserole:

• 2 cups cooked rice;
• 4 potatoes, boiled and mashed into a puree;
• 1 onion, diced;
• 1 drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil;
• 1 tomato, diced;
• 1 egg;
• 1.5 cups (approx. 150g) grated Parmesan cheese;
• Salt and black pepper to taste;
• 1 container (approx. 7 oz/200g) heavy cream;
• 1 tablespoon butter;
• Fresh parsley and scallions to taste;
• 1.1 lbs (500g) ground beef (pre-cooked/seasoned).

How to Prepare the Rice and Ground Beef Casserole:

1. First, peel and chop the potatoes;
2. Boil them in salted water until very tender;
3. Drain the water and mash the potatoes thoroughly until smooth;
4. Place a saucepan over medium heat and add the mashed potatoes, butter, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper;
5. Mix well and remove from heat;
6. Stir in the heavy cream until smooth, then set aside;
7. In a separate pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion until translucent;
8. Add the pre-cooked ground beef just to warm it through;
9. Stir in the diced tomato, fresh parsley, and scallions;
10. Warm up the cooked rice in a separate pan and set aside;
11. Transfer the seasoned ground beef to a baking dish;
12. Spread the rice over the meat, and layer the mashed potatoes on top;
13. Finish by sprinkling with the grated Parmesan;
14. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Tip:

You can substitute the Parmesan cheese with sliced mozzarella for a delicious, gooey variation.

Did you know?

The “Escondidinho” is a classic Brazilian comfort food originating from the Northeast region. It dates back to colonial times, when enslaved people would prepare dishes using leftover meat and cassava to maximize resources. Over time, it gained popularity and evolved into various versions, including this tasty rice-based dish.

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