Savory Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Comfort food reaches new heights with this delightful cheesy hamburger rice casserole that promises to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Ground beef sizzles with aromatic spices, creating a rich and hearty base for the dish.

Fluffy rice absorbs the savory flavors, blending perfectly with melted cheese and herbs.

Every forkful delivers a warm, comforting embrace of familiar ingredients.

The casserole combines simplicity with incredible taste, making it a weeknight dinner champion.

Cheese lovers and meat enthusiasts will find themselves returning for seconds of this irresistible one-pan meal.

Serving Hamburger Rice Casserole Warm

• Family Dinner Champion: Pair this hearty casserole with a crisp green salad for a balanced meal that'll make everyone happy at the table.
• Comfort Food Combo: Serve alongside steamed broccoli or roasted vegetables to add extra nutrition and color to your plate.
• Protein Power-Up: Top with a dollop of sour cream or fresh chopped parsley to enhance flavors and add a creamy, fresh finish to the dish.
• Leftover Magic: Reheat gently in the microwave and enjoy as a quick lunch the next day, or pack in lunch containers for a satisfying work meal.

Storage Solutions for Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Place individual portions in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place casserole in baking dish, add splash of water to prevent drying. Cover with foil and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated completely through. Uncover last 5 minutes to restore cheese's crispy texture.

FAQs

• Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, but you’ll need to adjust the liquid and cooking time. Brown rice requires more liquid and a longer baking time to become tender.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The combination of ground beef, cheese, and mild flavors makes this casserole a hit with children. Most kids love the cheesy, comforting taste.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, 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?

Lean ground beef (85% or 90% lean) works well, as it provides good flavor without excess grease. If using a fattier beef, be sure to drain the fat thoroughly.

Hamburger Rice Casserole: A Comfort Food Favorite

• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: This one-pan wonder transforms basic ingredients into a satisfying meal with minimal kitchen cleanup and maximum flavor.
• Family-Friendly Comfort: Packed with kid-approved ingredients like ground beef, cheese, and rice, this casserole guarantees clean plates and happy faces around the dinner table.
• Budget-Conscious Meal: Utilizing affordable pantry staples and ground beef, this recipe delivers a hearty dinner without breaking the bank, making it perfect for budget-conscious households.
• Quick Preparation Magic: Minimal chopping, straightforward instructions, and simple ingredients mean you can have a delicious dinner ready with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Ingredients for Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

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

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds creamy texture and savory depth to the dish.
• Diced Tomatoes: Contributes moisture and tangy flavor to the casserole.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully to create a golden, gooey topping for the casserole.
• Uncooked Rice: Serves as the starchy base that absorbs the flavors and becomes tender during baking.

Steps to Prepare Hamburger Rice Casserole

Step 1: Brown Ground Beef

Sizzle the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles.

Cook until the meat is completely browned and no pink remains.

Carefully drain off any excess fat to keep the dish light and delicious.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Diced tomatoes with their juice
• Uncooked rice

Stir everything together until well mixed, creating a rich and creamy base for your casserole.

Step 3: Season and Prepare

Sprinkle in salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.

Mix thoroughly to ensure every bite is perfectly seasoned.

Transfer the entire mixture to a baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 4: Cover and Bake

Seal the baking dish completely with aluminum foil.

Slide the casserole into a preheated oven at 350°F.

Let it bake for 45 minutes, allowing the rice to become tender and absorb all the delicious flavors.

Step 5: Add Cheesy Topping

Remove the foil after 45 minutes.

Generously scatter shredded mozzarella cheese across the top of the casserole.

Return to the oven and bake until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly blanket.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Pull the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

Scoop onto plates and serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey and inviting.

Perfect for a comforting family dinner!

How to Get Extra Cheesy Casserole Results

• Remove all excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing dish.
• Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow rice to fully absorb liquid and achieve perfect texture.
• Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting and more authentic flavor compared to pre-packaged cheese.
• Add frozen mixed vegetables like peas or carrots during cooking to increase nutritional value without changing the core recipe.
• Experiment with additional spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs to enhance the overall flavor profile of the casserole.

Mix It Up: Hamburger Casserole Twists

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Replace rice with cauliflower rice for a lower-carb, keto-friendly version that maintains the creamy, cheesy goodness.
• Vegetarian Bean Delight: Substitute ground beef with black beans or lentils for a protein-packed meatless alternative that keeps the casserole's hearty texture.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Makeover: Add spinach, feta cheese, and swap cream of mushroom soup for crushed tomatoes to create a Greek-style version with Mediterranean flavors.

Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets convenience in this cheesy hamburger rice casserole, a hearty one-pan meal that brings family favorites together. Savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese create a satisfying dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound ground beef

Dairy and Cheese:

• 0.75 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Grains and Vegetables:

• 0.5 cup long grain white rice
• 1 (10.75 ounces / 305 grams) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes with juice

Seasonings:

• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing a comfortable cooking environment for the casserole.
2. Place ground beef in a large skillet, cooking over medium heat until it transforms into rich, caramelized crumbles with no pink remaining.
3. Eliminate excess grease by carefully draining the meat to ensure a lighter, less fatty dish.
4. Introduce cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, and raw rice directly into the skillet, stirring thoroughly to create a harmonious mixture.
5. Enhance the flavor profile with measured salt and pepper, ensuring balanced seasoning throughout the dish.
6. Gently transfer the entire skillet contents into a prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface for even cooking.
7. Seal the dish completely with aluminum foil, creating a steamy environment that will help cook the rice to perfect tenderness.
8. Slide the covered casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to simmer and meld flavors for 45 minutes.
9. Remove the foil and generously scatter mozzarella cheese across the surface, creating a golden, melted blanket.
10. Return to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes, watching the cheese transform into a bubbling, irresistible topping.
11. Let the casserole rest briefly before serving, allowing the ingredients to settle and flavors to intensify.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that keeps the casserole protein-packed.
• Use brown rice instead of white rice to boost nutritional value and add a nutty flavor with more fiber and minerals.
• For gluten-sensitive guests, ensure cream of mushroom soup is gluten-free or replace with homemade cream sauce to control ingredients.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding diced bell peppers, sautéed onions, or garlic during beef browning for extra depth and nutrition.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 52 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg