Hamburger Rice Casserole
Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole is an easy and delicious one-pan meal that’s perfect for the whole family. Made with ground beef, onions, rice, and savory seasonings and topped with ooey, gooey melted cheese.
When you’re on the hunt for an easy dinner solution, this cheesy hamburger rice casserole is your go-to.
Not only is it a flavorful one-pan meal that the whole family will love, but clean-up is also a breeze.
Starting with ground beef and onions, mixed with rice and savory seasonings, and topped with melted cheddar cheese—it’s comfort food at its best!
If you’re a fan of Tex-Mex flavors, think of this as a more robust version of our cheesy ranch ground beef and rice skillet.
Looking for more rice casserole recipes? Try our broccoli rice casserole, teriyaki chicken casserole, or green chile chicken casserole.
How to Make Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil, ground beef, and onions. Cook the ground beef until it’s browned and no pink remains. Drain excess grease and return the mixture to the pan.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the beef broth, uncooked rice, tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, cumin, oregano, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to simmer.
- Cook the Rice: Allow the mixture to simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the rice is tender and cooked through.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat, uncover, and top with shredded cheddar cheese. Replace the lid and let the residual heat melt the cheese.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings like fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream.
Tips
- Rice Consistency: Make sure there is enough liquid to cover the ingredients plus an extra ½ to 1 cup of broth. This ensures the rice cooks properly without burning or sticking.
- Extra Flavor: If you want a little more spice, add an extra dash of chili powder, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, or your favorite hot sauce.
Should the rice be cooked or uncooked?
The rice should be uncooked for this cheesy beef casserole. It simmers in the beef broth, absorbing the flavors of the other ingredients, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
Can you use brown rice in this casserole?
Yes, brown rice can be used, but it requires a longer cooking time. You may need to add more beef broth and adjust the seasonings slightly.
If you’re using brown rice, make sure to keep an eye on the liquid levels to ensure it cooks through.
Substitutions and Variations
- Tomato Paste: If you’re out of tomato paste, substitute with tomato sauce (3 tablespoons per 1 tablespoon of paste) or ketchup for a slightly sweeter taste. Adjust amounts as needed to maintain consistency.
- Protein: Swap the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey for a lighter option.
- Cheese: While sharp cheddar is fantastic, try Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, or Monterey Jack for a different flavor twist.
- Veggies: Add extra flavor and texture to this hamburger rice casserole by adding canned or frozen vegetables like mushrooms, green beans, peas, corn, or carrots.
Storage
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: This casserole freezes well. Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
More Casserole Recipes
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 pound ground beef, (We used 93/7.)
- ½ cup white onion, finely chopped
- 2 ¼ cups low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup uncooked long grain white rice
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil, ground beef, and onions. Cook the ground beef until no pinks remain. Drain excess grease, and return to the pan.1 tablespoon cooking oil1 pound ground beef½ cup white onion
- Stir in the broth, rice, tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, cumin, oregano, and pepper. Bring the ingredients to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to simmer.2 ¼ cups low-sodium beef broth½ cup uncooked long grain white rice¼ cup tomato paste1 teaspoon onion powder1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon chili powder½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon ground cumin¼ teaspoon dried oregano¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Cook at a simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until the rice is tender and cooked to the desired consistency.
- Remove from heat, uncover, and top with shredded cheese. Return the lid and allow the residual heat to melt the cheese.1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Serve warm with your favorite side dish.
Suggested Equipment
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 cup of casserole. Actual calories will vary.