Let’s be honest—on weeknights, I’m not looking to channel my inner gourmet chef. I want something that fills the house with those homey, savory smells, keeps the dishes to a minimum, and doesn’t require a pantry raid. That’s where this Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole comes into play. It’s like your favorite cozy sweater, but edible. It’s made with simple pantry staples (hello, rice and ground beef), gets bubbly in the oven, and practically begs to be scooped into a big bowl while you kick off your shoes and exhale. You could dress it up with extra cheese or sneak in some veggies, but even in its purest form, it’s downright satisfying. If you’re into easy recipes with ground beef, quick and easy recipes, or just need something that doesn’t make you sigh before you start cooking—this one’s for you. It checks all the boxes for easy recipes for dinner, and yes, even those sweet easy recipes people like to scroll past when they’re hungry. Spoiler: you won’t scroll past this.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Hamburger Rice Casserole
- 4) How to Make Hamburger Rice Casserole
- 5) Tips for Making Hamburger Rice Casserole
- 6) Making Hamburger Rice Casserole Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Hamburger Rice Casserole
- 8) Try these Casserole recipes next!
- 9) Hamburger Rice Casserole
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- Uses common pantry ingredients
- Perfect for quick dinners with ground beef
- Customizable with veggies or cheese
- Family-friendly and freezer-friendly
2) Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole Recipe
This easy hamburger rice casserole recipe came into my life on a rainy Tuesday night when I stared blankly at a pound of ground beef and a half-empty pantry. You know that moment when you want dinner to make itself? This was as close as it got.
It checks all the boxes for anyone who lives for easy recipes with ground beef. Nothing weird in here. Just simple, good stuff you likely already have. It’s warm, it’s creamy, and it tastes like the edible version of a hug after a long day.
If you’re new to the casserole game, start here. And if you’re a seasoned pro, this one will surprise you in all the right ways. Whether you’re whipping it up for the kids, meal prepping for the week, or just feeding your own hungry self, this quick and easy recipe is your secret weapon.
3) Ingredients for Hamburger Rice Casserole
Ground Beef: I like to use lean ground beef, but if you’ve only got the regular stuff, just drain the fat after browning. It’s the backbone of this whole thing.
Onion: Chop it up fine. It adds that familiar aromatic flavor without stealing the show.
Garlic Powder: One of those little things that brings big flavor without fuss. Just a sprinkle will do.
Salt and Pepper: Add both to taste. Don’t be shy. This is comfort food, not a delicate soufflé.
Cream of Mushroom Soup: This adds that creamy, savory base we all secretly love. It’s the glue that holds the flavor together.
Cream of Chicken Soup: It pairs perfectly with the mushroom to round out the flavor. You’ll never know which one you love more.
Uncooked White Rice: Long-grain is best. It cooks up tender right in the casserole dish and absorbs all that flavor.
Water: Two cups helps the rice cook right in the dish. No need to pre-cook anything here. Simplicity is the name of the game.
Cheddar Cheese: This is optional, but I’ll be honest—I never skip it. A cheesy topping takes this from good to addictive.
4) How to Make Hamburger Rice Casserole
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Trust me, this recipe is so easy, the oven will be hot before you’re done mixing things up.
Step 2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion. Stir occasionally and cook until the meat isn’t pink. Drain the grease if you need to.
Step 3. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the beef. Give it a stir so everything gets seasoned well.
Step 4. In a large baking dish, mix the beef mixture with the two soups, uncooked rice, and water. Stir it gently so it all comes together evenly.
Step 5. Cover the baking dish with foil—tight. You want to trap that moisture so the rice cooks perfectly.
Step 6. Bake for about 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the rice is soft and your kitchen smells like magic.
Step 7. Optional but delicious—sprinkle shredded cheese on top in the last 10 minutes. Let it melt and bubble up like the casserole dreams you didn’t know you had.
5) Tips for Making Hamburger Rice Casserole
Use long grain rice. Shorter grains or instant rice can get mushy. Trust me—I’ve tried, and the results were… less than pretty.
Don’t skip the foil. I know it’s tempting, but without it, you’ll end up with crunchy, undercooked rice. And no one signed up for that.
If you’re into easy casserole recipes, this one is your new best friend. It’s flexible. Toss in frozen peas or corn. Add bell pepper if that’s your thing. Use what you have and make it your own.
6) Making Hamburger Rice Casserole Ahead of Time
Let’s say you’ve got a busy week ahead. This hamburger rice casserole is perfect for that kind of situation. You can prep it the night before, cover it, and store it in the fridge.
When you’re ready to bake, take it out, let it warm up a little on the counter, and then pop it into the oven. If it’s cold from the fridge, add about 10 extra minutes to your baking time.
This also works great if you’re planning meals for someone else—think new moms, neighbors, or just your future self. Having a quick and easy recipe like this ready to go feels like a win.
7) Storing Leftover Hamburger Rice Casserole
Got leftovers? Lucky you. This stuff holds up in the fridge for up to four days. Just store it in an airtight container and reheat portions as needed.
Microwave it or reheat in the oven with a little extra splash of water to keep things from drying out. The flavor actually gets better the next day—don’t ask me how, it just does.
Easy recipes for dinner that taste even better tomorrow? That’s the kind of cooking that works for me.
8) Try these Casserole recipes next!
9) Hamburger Rice Casserole
Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole – A Weeknight Win for Easy Recipes with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion until the beef is no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the soups, uncooked rice, water, and the cooked beef mixture. Mix until everything is evenly blended.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- If you’re adding cheese, remove the foil in the last 10 minutes of baking and sprinkle cheese on top, then return to the oven uncovered.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1/6 | Calories: 412 | Sugar: 2 g | Sodium: 720 mg | Fat: 21 g | Saturated Fat: 8 g | Carbohydrates: 35 g | Fiber: 1 g | Protein: 20 g | Cholesterol: 50 mg
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