Grandma’s Rice Dish

Name: Grandma's Rice Dish
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1/3 cup chopped onion; 1/2 cup chopped green pepper; 2 cups cooked long grain rice; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 can (11 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained; 1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained; 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs; 1 tablespoon butter, melted

My grandmother often made rice dishes when I was young. I forgot about this casserole until I found myself one day adding the same ingredients to leftover rice. The memories came flooding back, and I've made this recipe regularly since then. —Lorna Moore, Glendora, California

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
2 cups cooked long grain rice
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (11 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
Stir in rice, tomatoes, corn, olives, bacon and seasonings; heat through. Stir in 1 cup cheese until melted.
Transfer to a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Toss bread crumbs with butter; sprinkle over top.
Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 719 calories, 37g fat (18g saturated fat), 136mg cholesterol, 1397mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 41g protein.

Originally published as Grandma's Rice Dish in Quick Cooking November/December 2001

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Trista

Nov 19, 2016

Delicious!! Used 1 can diced tomatoes with chipotle peppers, REAL bacon bits, added 1/2 tsp cumin, about 1/4 c water (it seemed a bit dry) and left out the bread crumbs. This will become a favorite.
greatmom4girls

Sep 5, 2016

I changed out taco seasoning for chili powder to taste. I changed out tomatoes and juice for a can of tomato sauce, because my kid doesn't like cooked chunky tomatoes. It was a delicious meal, despite the changes!!!
Cook_aholic

Mar 20, 2016

Oddly enough, I used Grandma's rice dish as the bottom of my protein bowls. It was very easy to lower the salt content by not adding salt or olives. I left out the bread crumbs but I still think this is a very versatile dish and should give people lots of ideas about ways to use it.
Mrsbates99

May 22, 2014

This was horrible. The bread crumbs made it that much worse. Don't waste the ingredients like I did.
Sillyman1

May 10, 2014

I love this recipe. It is a good family favorite. I generally add 1 can of rinsed canned black beans to the mix. It is delicious! It tastes like the dishes that I was served in Brazil.
toolbarsco

Apr 2, 2014

This recipe was okay but lacked that wow factor. I did not top with the bread crumbs and butter but I like the idea from Texas Cookie of using a cracker crumb topping. I used fresh tomatoes as a topping because my family loves them.
TexasCookie

Jan 13, 2012

Extremely tasty comfort food. We used extra sharp cheese and a cracker crumb top but otherwise stuck to the recipe. For those who prefer something spicier I would suggest a little more chili powder or perhaps some Ro*tel tomatoes instead of the plain ones called for; it would be an easy fix.
devilgrrl

Feb 1, 2011

This is pretty good but nothing i'd make too often. A little bit bland.
gillettcookie

Jan 18, 2010

It was a good recipe for something different. I love the "all-in-one" idea that it has veggies and starch and meat in one dish. But it's not something that I would keep making on a weekly basis. Was good, even though I didn't have the peppers or bacon. Thanks!