Hamburger Rice Casserole

Hamburger rice casserole is a hearty and filling ground beef casserole loaded with veggies, fluffy rice, and simple seasonings to create a meal that each bite is as satisfying as the next. Your busy weeknights just got easier with this quick casserole dinner. The smell will bring everyone to the dinner table and the taste will have the whole family asking for more.

Hamburger casserole is not only delicious but very easy to prepare. It starts stove top browning lean ground beef, onions and garlic. Add in the seasonings and the rest of the ingredients. Mix and pour into your casserole dish. Top with your favorite shredded cheese and bake. As the casserole bakes, the cheese melts and forms a golden-brown crust, adding an irresistible layer of flavor and texture.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Ground beef casserole
• 📝 Ingredients you'll need
• 🥣 Before you begin: essential tools
• 🥄 Step by step: instructions
• 👩‍🍳 Variations to make it your own
• 👍 My notes
• 🧺 How to store leftovers
• ⌛ Make Ahead
• 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
• 💬 Your questions answered: FAQs
• 📣 Related Recipes
• Hamburger Rice Casserole

Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.

❤️ Ground beef casserole

• Kid-friendly: This cheesy ground beef casserole is seasoned just enough for all to enjoy it, especially your picky eaters. Flavorful ground meat with tender rice, vegetables, and melty cheese. What's not to love?
• Easy to make: Super easy to mix everything together and bake until the cheese melts.
• Budget friendly: Perfect for a tight-budget as most items are inexpensive or can be adapted to meet your budget.

The best thing about this hamburger rice casserole is the adaptability of this recipe. When you make the recipe, try swapping out for a different kind of rice, ground meat, adding a different frozen veggie or topping with mozzarella instead of cheddar, each bite will offer a comforting blend of flavors and textures.

📝 Ingredients you'll need

Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

📋 Ingredient Notes / Variations

• Olive oil
• Onion: A yellow onion is used which adds a nice sweet flavor, you can also use red onion.
• Garlic: Sauté with the diced onion to add a delicious aroma and taste.
• Ground beef: I use 85/15 as it's still lean yet flavorful, but use your preference.
• Bell pepper: Adds fresh flavor and color to the dish.
• Frozen veggies: Two cups of your favorite, peas, corn or mixed veggies are great choices.
• Italian seasoning
• Cinnamon: A wonderful seasoning, just a little bit will bring out all the flavors.
• Salt & pepper
• Tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce, brings out the savory flavors of ground beef.
• White rice: I use regular long grain rice, but feel free to swap out for your favorite.
• Beef broth: Used to cook the rice, try water, vegetable or chicken stock.
• Shredded cheese: Hand grate fresh mozzarella or a block of cheddar cheese.

🥣 Before you begin: essential tools

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• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Casserole dish
• Cheese grater

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🥄 Step by step: instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. In a dutch oven, heat oil on medium-high heat and sauté onions and garlic. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink; drain excess fat.
2. Add diced bell peppers and frozen veggies to the ground beef mixture and mix. Add all seasonings, tomato paste, and uncooked rice and mix well.
3. Pour in beef broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and continue to cook until done, about 20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat, fluff and pour into a 13x9 baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and return to oven until cheese is melted.

👩‍🍳 Variations to make it your own

• Add your favorite frozen veggies, such as corn and green beans.
• A can of drained and rinsed black beans can be added to the meat mixture.
• Sliced mushrooms can be added when you add the onions for a more earthy flavor.
• A packet of ranch seasoning mix can be mixed into the ground beef if you would like.
• Try a French onion soup mix seasoning packet mixed into the ground hamburger for extra flavor.
• Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
• Use a teaspoon of garlic powder in place of the fresh garlic.

👍 My notes

• We love to shred our own block of cheddar or mozzarella for the cheesiest dish; bagged shredded cheese can be used as well.
• Use a cooking spray on the casserole dish to keep the hamburger rice dish from sticking.
• Top with green onions or fresh chopped parsley.

🧺 How to store leftovers

Refrigerate - Leftover hamburger rice casserole can be wrapped in an airtight container and kept in your refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days.

Freeze - Allow the hamburger casserole to completely cool before transferring it to a freezer safe container. This casserole can be frozen for up to three months.

Reheat- From frozen, allow it to thaw in your refrigerator, and then you can reheat in your microwave.

⌛ Make Ahead

This cheesy hamburger casserole can be made ahead of time making the hamburger mixture and then pour it into your prepared baking dish. Wrap and put in your refrigerator until ready to top with cheese and bake in your oven until hot and bubbly.

🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with

• Top with a dollop of sour cream or green onions before serving.
• Add an extra side of veggies, you might want to try this air fryer frozen asparagus, air fryer frozen broccoli, or a side salad.

💬 Your questions answered: FAQs

📣 Related Recipes

• Another favorite ground beef meal is Cowboy Cornbread Casserole. Ground meat is mixed with cheese, vegetables and a wonderful layer of cornbread.
• Have a few apples on hand? You must try these Apple Crisp Bars with a shortbread crust and a crumble topping. Whip up a batch today!
• Homemade Banana Milk is a delicious banana flavored milk ready in minutes. Perfect for after school or a healthy breakfast.

Cheesy, yummy goodness, don't you agree? Love this meal and so does the kids. It's so simple yet packed with flavor. Leave me a comment below. I'd love to hear your what do you think!

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