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
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light cooking spray coating.
- 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.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat from the meat mixture to ensure a lighter, less greasy casserole.
- Stir in the white rice, ensuring it gets coated with the meat and vegetable mixture.
- Pour the condensed cream of mushroom soup and water (or beef broth) over the rice and beef, mixing thoroughly to create a uniform consistency.
- Season the mixture with salt and black pepper, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fully cooked.
- 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.
- 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