You want nothing less than the ultimate when it comes to your go-to dinner dishes! Well, this is the Ultimate Sweet & Sour Beef Bake and it will be at the top of your list because it’s truly that mind-blowing! The tasty, perfectly seasoned beef layered over some fluffy rice and veggies, soaking in a sweet and tangy sauce, reminds you of your favorite takeout dish (but it is way, way better). Served best when you’re really hungry and don’t feel like cooking much, you’ll quickly see why this really is the Ultimate Sweet & Sour Beef Bake!
Ingredients
For the beef:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- pepper, to taste
- 3 cups long-grain rice, cooked
- 1 (7-ounce) can mushroom stems and pieces, juices drained
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
For the sauce:
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 2 1/2 cups cold water
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- pepper, to taste
- green onions, sliced, to taste, for garnish
- sesame seeds, to taste, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 3-quart baking dish.
Step 3 –In a large skillet over medium heat, add the beef and cook, while crumbling, until the meat is no longer pink. Drain the excess grease.
Step 4 –Stir the chili powder, the oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt, and the pepper into the cooked beef.
Step 5 –Spread the rice into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and layer with the cooked beef, the mushrooms, and the green pepper.
Step 6 –In a large saucepan, add the sugar and the cornstarch.
Step 7 –Stir the cold water, the white vinegar, the ketchup, the remaining salt, and the pepper into the sugar mixture until it is smooth.
Step 8 –Bring the sauce to a boil and cook, while stirring, until it has thickened, about 2 minutes.
Step 9 –Pour the sauce over the layered ingredients.
Step 10 –Bake the beef bake until it is heated through, about 30 minutes.
Step 11 –Garnish the bake with the green onions and the sesame seeds and serve.
