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If you’re looking for a meal that warms the heart and fills the belly, try Hamburger Rice Casserole! This dish combines ground beef, rice, and rich flavors to create a simple one-dish dinner. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Join me as I share this easy recipe, helpful tips, and tasty variations that everyone will love. Let’s dive in and make a comforting meal together!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food: This casserole is the ultimate comfort food, combining savory ground beef, creamy soup, and cheesy goodness all in one dish.
- Easy Preparation: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a quick meal.
- One-Dish Wonder: Everything cooks together in one baking dish, making clean-up a breeze while still delivering a hearty meal.
- Customizable: You can easily customize this casserole with your favorite vegetables or spices, making it versatile for any palate.
Ingredients
To make my Hamburger Rice Casserole, gather these simple ingredients:
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
– 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
– 2 cups beef broth
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
Each item plays a key role in creating a hearty meal. The ground beef provides protein and flavor. The rice absorbs all the tasty juices, and the cream of mushroom soup adds creaminess. The beef broth enhances the flavor, making every bite rich and savory.
Don’t forget the shredded cheddar cheese! It adds a melty, cheesy goodness that everyone loves. The frozen mixed vegetables bring color and nutrients to the dish. The onion and garlic add depth, while the Italian seasonings tie everything together.
This list keeps things simple yet flavorful. You can find all these items at your local store. Let’s get cooking!

Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation Steps
1. Preheating the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure that your casserole cooks evenly.
2. Preparing the skillet: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. You want it hot enough to sauté the onions.
3. Cooking the ground beef: Add 1 medium chopped onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Cook them for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft. Then, add 1 pound of ground beef. Cook it for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
Combining Ingredients
1. Mixing rice and vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of uncooked long-grain white rice, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, and 2 cups of beef broth. Add 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables, which can include peas, carrots, and corn. Stir everything until it’s well mixed.
2. Adding beef to the mixture: Once your beef is browned, add it to the mixing bowl. Stir the beef into the rice and vegetable mixture, ensuring everything is combined well.
Baking Process
1. Transferring to baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the combined mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.
2. Covering and baking: Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. This helps the rice cook properly.
3. Final cheese addition: After 35 minutes, remove the foil. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this hearty and simple meal!
Tips & Tricks
Cooking Tips
– To avoid overcooking the beef, cook it just until browned. Use medium heat and break it up. This keeps the meat juicy and tender.
– For perfect cheese melting, add cheese at the end of baking. This keeps it creamy and gooey. Broil it for a minute if you like a crispy top.
Serving Suggestions
– For presentation, serve in bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top. This adds color and makes it look nice.
– Pair it with a side salad or some crusty bread. These add crunch and balance to the meal. You can also serve it with steamed vegetables for more nutrition.
Pro Tips
- Use Lean Ground Beef: Opt for lean ground beef to reduce grease and enhance the overall flavor of the casserole.
- Customize Your Vegetables: Feel free to swap out the frozen mixed vegetables for your favorite fresh or seasonal veggies for added nutrition.
- Perfect Cheese Melting: For an extra cheesy topping, broil the casserole for a few minutes after baking to get a golden crust.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the casserole the night before and store it in the fridge. Just pop it in the oven when ready to bake!

Variations
Ingredient Substitutions
You can switch the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. This keeps the dish leaner. If you go with turkey, watch the cooking time. It might cook faster.
Feel free to change the vegetables too. Use fresh veggies like bell peppers or zucchini. You can also swap in a bag of frozen broccoli or spinach. Both add color and nutrients.
Flavor Variations
Herbs and spices can change the flavor a lot. Try adding paprika for a smoky taste. You can use cumin for warmth or add chili powder for heat. Experiment and find what you love!
Cheese is another fun way to mix things up. Instead of cheddar, try mozzarella for a gooey texture. You can even use pepper jack for a spicy kick. Each cheese brings its own flavor.
Storage Info
How to Store Leftovers
To keep your Hamburger Rice Casserole fresh, use these simple steps:
– Refrigeration tips: Place any leftover casserole in an airtight container. It will last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Make sure the casserole is cooled before sealing the lid. This helps prevent moisture buildup.
– Freezing the casserole: You can freeze the casserole for longer storage. Cut it into portions and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Then place the wrapped portions in a freezer-safe bag. The casserole can stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer. Just remember to label the bag with the date.
Reheating Instructions
When you want to enjoy your casserole again, follow these reheating tips:
– Best methods for reheating: The oven is best for reheating. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with foil to keep it moist. Heat for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. You can also use the microwave for quick reheating. Just cover it with a microwave-safe lid and heat in short bursts, stirring in between.
– Maintaining the flavor and texture: To keep the flavor and texture, avoid overheating. This can dry out the casserole. If using the microwave, add a few drops of water before covering. This helps to keep it moist. Enjoy your meal just as you did the first time!
FAQs
How long does Hamburger Rice Casserole last?
Hamburger Rice Casserole can last for about 3 to 5 days in your fridge. Make sure to store it in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh and tasty for longer.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time. Prep it the night before and store it in the fridge. Just bake it when you’re ready to eat. This makes dinner easy on busy nights.
What can I serve with Hamburger Rice Casserole?
You can serve a side salad or some garlic bread with this casserole. A simple green salad adds crunch and freshness. Garlic bread is great for soaking up the cheesy goodness.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can swap ground beef with lentils or mushrooms. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. This way, you keep all the great flavors while making it plant-based.
This blog post outlined how to create a tasty Hamburger Rice Casserole. You learned about the key ingredients, from ground beef to cheddar cheese. I provided step-by-step instructions for cooking and baking. You also got tips for serving and storing leftovers.
In closing, this dish is simple, filling, and versatile. It’s perfect for any meal, and you can make it your own. Enjoy this easy recipe with your family tonigh
Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole
A delicious and hearty casserole featuring ground beef, rice, and cheese.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 400 kcal
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- to taste salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon (about 5-7 minutes). Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the uncooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, frozen mixed vegetables, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until evenly mixed.
Add the cooked beef mixture to the bowl with the rice and vegetable mixture, stirring to combine everything thoroughly.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes.
After 35 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top of the casserole.
Bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve in portions with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top for a pop of color. Enjoy with a side salad for added crunch!
Keyword beef, casserole, cheesy, rice
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