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.