Heartwarming Hamburger Rice Casserole Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Crafting a delicious hamburger rice casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly in this classic one-pot wonder.

Simple pantry staples create something magical and satisfying.

Weeknight meals demand quick solutions that still taste incredible.

Families appreciate dishes that combine protein, grains, and rich flavors without complicated preparation.

Melted cheese and seasoned ground beef promise a crowd-pleasing experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Lean in and discover how straightforward meal magic happens in your kitchen.

Why Hamburger Rice Casserole Is So Cozy And Quick

• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: One-pan meal that combines protein, grains, and vegetables in a single delicious casserole, reducing kitchen cleanup and meal preparation stress.
• Budget-Friendly Family Feast: Affordable ingredients like ground beef, rice, and canned soup create a hearty meal that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank.
• Comfort Food Champion: Warm, cheesy, and satisfying dish that delivers classic flavors everyone loves, perfect for bringing the family together around the dinner table.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easy to adapt with different vegetables, cheese varieties, or protein options to suit individual tastes and dietary preferences.

Everything In Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Ground Beef: Provides the main protein source and hearty flavor for the casserole.

• Onions, Bell Peppers: Add depth of flavor and provide nutritional boost to the dish.

• White Rice: Creates the foundational layer and absorbs the rich flavors of the meat and sauce.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds creamy texture and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Beef Broth: Enhances the meaty flavor and provides additional moisture for cooking.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance the overall taste of the casserole.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a melty, golden topping with rich cheese flavor.

• Water: Helps cook the rice and prevents the casserole from drying out during baking.

How To Make Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Set your oven to 375°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook ground beef, breaking it into small crumbly pieces until no pink remains, ensuring thorough cooking.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Chopped bell peppers

Sauté until vegetables become soft and translucent, releasing their delightful flavors.

Step 4: Create Savory Meat Mixture

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Beef broth
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined and create a rich, flavorful sauce.

Step 5: Layer Rice Base

Spread uncooked white rice evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a foundational layer.

Step 6: Pour Meat Mixture

Carefully distribute the seasoned beef and vegetable mixture over the rice, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.

Step 7: Add Moisture

Gently pour water around the dish’s edges to help rice cook and prevent drying out during baking.

Step 8: Cover and Seal

Wrap the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and create a steamy cooking environment.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until rice becomes tender and most liquid is absorbed.

Step 10: Cheese Topping

Remove foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the casserole’s surface. Return to oven for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts and turns slightly golden.

Step 11: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking, allowing it to set and cool slightly before serving your delicious creation.

Best Tips For Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Boost Rice Absorption: Add a splash of extra water around the dish's edges to ensure perfectly cooked, fluffy rice without dry patches.
• Customize Meat Texture: Break ground beef into smaller, uniform crumbles while browning to create a more even and tender meat distribution throughout the casserole.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Sauté onions and bell peppers until they're slightly caramelized to develop a richer, more complex taste profile.
• Prevent Cheese Burning: Watch the cheese closely during the final 5-7 minutes of baking, removing the casserole immediately once it melts and turns golden to avoid overcooking.
• Make It Healthier: Substitute ground beef with lean ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter, lower-fat version of the dish.

Simple Twists On Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Southwestern Fiesta Casserole: Replace ground beef with seasoned ground turkey, add black beans, corn, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro after baking.
• Mediterranean Lamb Fusion: Use ground lamb instead of beef, mix in oregano, diced tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese. Garnish with chopped parsley for extra freshness.
• Veggie Lovers Protein Casserole: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, incorporate mixed vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms. Top with dairy-free cheese alternative.
• Spicy Korean-Inspired Version: Brown beef with gochujang sauce, add kimchi, use short-grain rice, and finish with green onions and sesame seeds for authentic Korean flavor profile.

Great Sides For Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Pair Hearty Red Wine: Choose a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich beef and creamy casserole flavors, cutting through the dish's heaviness with bold tannins.
• Serve Crisp Green Salad: Create a light mixed greens salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the casserole's richness, adding fresh texture and zesty contrast to the warm, comforting meal.
• Add Roasted Vegetable Side: Prepare garlic-seasoned roasted broccoli or asparagus spears to introduce additional nutrients and provide a caramelized vegetable element that enhances the casserole's savory profile.

How To Store Hamburger Rice Casserole Properly

• Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within two hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other food odors.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent dryness. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F, covering with foil to retain moisture.
• Move frozen casserole to the refrigerator overnight for safe, gradual thawing.

FAQs On Hamburger Rice Casserole For Beginners

• Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, but increase liquid and cooking time. Brown rice requires more water and a longer baking period to become tender.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, cream of mushroom soup typically contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free cream soup or make a homemade substitute.

• Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Just add 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.

• What lean meat percentage works best for this recipe?

Choose ground beef with 80/20 or 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio. This ensures the meat stays moist and flavorful during baking without becoming too greasy.

Hamburger Rice Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10-12 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty hamburger rice casserole brings comfort and convenience to family dinner tables with its satisfying blend of ground beef, rice, and savory seasonings. Simple ingredients merge into a delicious one-pan meal that quickly becomes a household favorite, offering you a quick and nourishing solution for busy weeknight dining.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

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

Supporting Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1/2 cup diced bell peppers

Seasoning and Liquid:

• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup water

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°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.
3. Add diced onions and bell peppers to the beef, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and slightly softened.
4. Incorporate cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, stirring until everything is evenly combined.
5. Layer uncooked white rice across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an even base.
6. Pour the seasoned beef and vegetable mixture directly over the rice, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
7. Gently pour water around the edges of the dish to help rice cook and prevent drying.
8. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and steam.
9. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
10. Remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top, and return to oven for an additional 5-7 minutes until cheese melts and becomes slightly golden.
11. Allow casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving to help set and cool slightly.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly version that maintains delicious flavor profiles.
• Select long-grain white rice for best texture, ensuring each grain remains separate and perfectly cooked without becoming mushy during baking.
• Test rice doneness by gently piercing with a fork – if grains are tender and liquid is mostly absorbed, your casserole is ready to enjoy.
• Enhance nutritional value by adding frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, or corn directly into the meat mixture for extra color and vitamins.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55-57 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 465
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg