The Coziest Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole Recipe for Family Dinners

Whipping up a hearty hamburger rice casserole brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Busy families adore this simple one-pan meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Affordable ingredients combine seamlessly to create a satisfying dish everyone craves.

Ground beef mingles with fluffy rice, creating a robust and filling option for weeknight dinners.

Creamy textures and savory seasonings make this recipe a definite crowd-pleaser.

Cheesy toppings add an extra layer of deliciousness that transforms an ordinary meal into something special.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for those nights when hunger strikes and time is short.

Why Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole Is A Go-To Dinner

• Beginner-Friendly Cooking: Perfect for novice cooks with straightforward steps and minimal kitchen skills required, making it an ideal starter recipe for learning basic meal preparation techniques.
• Comfort Food Champion: Delivers a hearty, satisfying meal packed with classic flavors that remind you of home-cooked dinners, combining ground beef, rice, and cheese into a crowd-pleasing dish.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimizes kitchen cleanup with a single skillet and baking dish, reducing dishwashing time and making it an excellent option for busy households seeking convenient meal solutions.
• Family Meal Mastermind: Creates a filling, nutritious dinner that appeals to both kids and adults, offering a balanced combination of protein, carbohydrates, and cheesy goodness that will please multiple taste preferences.

What You Need For Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Ground Beef: A flavorful base that provides hearty texture and rich meat flavor to the casserole.

• Onions, Garlic: These ingredients add depth and savory complexity to the dish's overall taste profile.

• White Rice: A staple grain that absorbs flavors and creates a satisfying base for the casserole.
• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds creamy richness and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Water or Beef Broth: Provides necessary moisture for cooking the rice and creating a cohesive sauce.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the overall flavor of the casserole.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a golden, melty finish with a sharp and tangy flavor.

• Cooking Spray: Ensures the casserole doesn't stick to the baking dish.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps trap moisture and steam during initial baking.

Steps To Make Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Cooking Space

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and lightly coat it with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to a toasty 350°F.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Toss ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break the meat into tiny crumbly pieces, cooking until no pink remains (about 7-8 minutes).

Step 3: Add Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until onions turn soft and translucent (around 3 minutes).

Step 4: Drain and Prepare

Remove excess fat from the meat mixture to keep the casserole light and delicious.

Step 5: Incorporate Rice

Stir white rice into the meat and vegetable mixture, ensuring every grain gets coated with savory goodness.

Step 6: Create Creamy Base

• Condensed cream of mushroom soup
• Water or beef broth

Mix thoroughly to create a uniform, creamy consistency.

Step 7: Season the Mixture

Sprinkle in salt and black pepper, stirring to distribute flavors evenly throughout the dish.

Step 8: Transfer to Baking Dish

Spread the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer.

Step 9: Initial Baking

Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 35-40 minutes. The goal is tender, fully cooked rice.

Step 10: Add Cheesy Topping

Remove foil and generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes until cheese melts and turns golden.

Step 11: Rest and Serve

Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes. This helps ingredients set and makes serving easier. Enjoy your comforting meal!

Tips That Help With Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Drain Excess Fat: Remove extra grease from the beef to create a lighter, healthier casserole texture and reduce unnecessary calories.
• Layer Evenly: Spread the mixture uniformly in the baking dish to ensure consistent cooking and balanced flavors in every bite.
• Customize Liquid Choice: Swap water with beef broth for deeper, richer flavor profile that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
• Cheese Variation: Experiment with different cheese types like monterey jack or pepper jack to add unique flavor dimensions and keep the recipe exciting.
• Rest Before Serving: Allow the casserole to sit for 5-10 minutes after baking, which helps ingredients settle and makes cutting and serving easier.

Flavor Swaps For Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Beef and Rice Veggie Powerhouse: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles and add extra mixed vegetables like diced carrots, peas, and bell peppers for a nutrient-rich version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Casserole: Substitute cream of mushroom soup with a homemade gluten-free white sauce and use cauliflower rice instead of traditional white rice to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
• Mexican-Inspired Beef Bake: Swap seasoning with taco spices, use pepper jack cheese, and add black beans and corn for a southwestern flavor profile that brings zesty excitement to the classic recipe.
• Low-Carb Protein Power: Replace rice with cauliflower rice, increase protein content by adding extra lean ground beef, and top with crushed pork rinds for a crispy, low-carbohydrate alternative.

What To Serve With Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Robust cabernet sauvignon cuts through the rich beef and cheese, complementing the hearty casserole flavors with its full-bodied structure.
• Serve with Crisp Green Salad: Fresh mixed greens with tangy vinaigrette provide a light, refreshing contrast to the dense, creamy casserole, balancing the meal's heaviness.
• Enhance with Roasted Vegetable Side: Garlic-seasoned roasted broccoli or asparagus adds nutritional depth and introduces a caramelized vegetable element that elevates the overall dining experience.
• Match with Craft Beer: A malty amber ale or nutty brown beer offers subtle hoppy notes that harmonize with the beef and mushroom soup, creating a satisfying comfort food combination.

How To Store Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place casserole in a baking dish, add a splash of broth to prevent drying, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated completely through.

FAQ Guide For Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Is this a budget-friendly recipe?

Yes, this casserole uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, rice, and canned soup, making it an economical meal that feeds a family without breaking the bank.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

• What type of ground beef works best?

Choose ground beef with 80/20 or 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio for the best flavor and moisture. Leaner meats can make the casserole dry.

Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 55-60 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty hamburger rice casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to dinner tables with its simple, satisfying blend of ground beef, rice, and creamy sauce. Homemade goodness awaits when you crave a quick, delicious meal that reminds everyone of home-cooked warmth.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups white rice
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

Supporting Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasoning and Garnish:

• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup water or beef broth

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light cooking spray coating.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces until no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
3. Add diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
4. Drain any excess fat from the meat mixture to ensure a lighter, less greasy casserole.
5. Stir in the white rice, ensuring it gets coated with the meat and vegetable mixture.
6. Pour the condensed cream of mushroom soup and water (or beef broth) over the rice and beef, mixing thoroughly to create a uniform consistency.
7. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
8. Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
9. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fully cooked.
10. Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes slightly golden.
11. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to set and cool slightly.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, healthier protein option that keeps the dish versatile and diet-friendly.
• Use brown rice instead of white rice to boost nutritional value, adding more fiber and complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy.
• Enhance vegetable content by mixing in frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, and corn during the meat cooking stage for extra nutrition and color.
• Consider low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and reduced-fat cheese to create a lighter version that maintains the classic comfort food taste while reducing calorie intake.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg