Description
Hamburger Rice Casserole brings together ground beef, rice, and melted cheese in a comforting one-pan meal that saves you time and satisfies hungry family members. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with hearty ingredients, this simple dinner comes together quickly and delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (10.5 oz/298 g) can tomato soup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Measure 1 cup of uncooked white rice and prepare according to package instructions at 212°F (104°C) water temperature, yielding 2-3 cups cooked rice. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Grab a large skillet and warm 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat (350°F). Dice 1 small onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
- Add 1 pound lean ground beef to the skillet. Break meat into small crumbles while cooking for 5-7 minutes until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Mince 2 cloves of garlic and sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning into the meat mixture. Stir thoroughly.
- Pour 14.5 ounces undrained diced tomatoes and 10.5 ounces tomato soup into the skillet. Mix ingredients until evenly combined.
- Fold 2 cups cooked rice and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese into the meat mixture. Ensure everything is well incorporated.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread contents evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove casserole from oven and let rest 5-10 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions before serving.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Cook rice ahead of time or use leftover rice to make preparation faster and easier.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like cheddar, monterey jack, or a blend for unique flavor profiles.
- For a gluten-free version, swap tomato soup with crushed tomatoes and add a bit of tomato paste for richness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg