Cherokee Casserole

1 pound ground beef
1 T. oil
1/2 cup onions, chopped
1 1/2 t. salt
1/8 t. pepper
1/8 t. garlic powder
1/8 t. thyme
1/8 t. oregano
1 small bay leaf
1 can (20 oz.) crushed tomatoes
1 can (10 oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup rice, pre-cooked
Cheddar cheese, grated

Brown the ground beef in the oil over high heat. Add chopped onions
& reduce heat to medium; cook until tender. Stir in salt, pepper,
garlic powder, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, crushed tomatoes, mushroom
soup, and rice. Bring all to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 5
minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaf. Spoon into a 1 &
1/2 qt. casserole dish. Sprinkle cheese over top of the casserole.
Broil just until cheese melts.