Description
Cheesy hamburger rice casserole delivers pure comfort straight from your kitchen, combining ground beef, rice, and melted cheese into one seriously satisfying meal. Hearty ingredients come together quickly for a weeknight dinner that makes everyone at the table smile.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1.5 cups cooked white rice
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 0.5 cup milk
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Fire up the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Ensure your dish is evenly greased to prevent sticking.
- Heat a large skillet over medium flame. Crumble 1 pound ground beef into the pan with 1 small diced onion. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking meat into small pieces until no pink remains.
- Mince 2 garlic cloves and toss into the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute, releasing those aromatic flavors. Drain any excess fat from the meat mixture.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon paprika over the beef. Stir thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Grab a mixing bowl and combine 1 ½ cups cooked rice, the seasoned beef, 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup, ½ cup milk, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until ingredients are completely integrated.
- Transfer the creamy mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it smoothly across the surface, ensuring an even layer.
- Scatter the remaining ½ cup cheese across the top of the casserole. This creates a golden, melty crust.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide into the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes, trapping moisture inside.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes. Watch for bubbly edges and a perfectly melted cheese topping.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or green onions on top for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
- Leftover rice works perfectly and helps create a faster meal preparation.
- For a gluten-free version, select a gluten-free cream soup or make your own cream sauce from scratch.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like cheddar and monterey jack for more complex flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10-12 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg