The Ultimate Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole: Your New Family Favorite!

This hearty Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole is the quintessential comfort food, blending savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and a generous layer of melted cheese into an easy, satisfying meal perfect for any family dinner.

There’s nothing quite like a warm, bubbling casserole straight from the oven to bring everyone to the table. Our ultimate Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole is a prime example, a true classic that delivers on flavor, comfort, and ease. Forget complicated dinners, this ground beef and rice casserole is designed for busy weeknights yet tastes like a labor of love. It’s a complete meal in one dish, packed with protein and carbohydrates, making it an instant crowd-pleaser. Whether you call it Cheesy Hamburger Rice, Cheese Ground Beef And Rice Casserole, or just “dinner,” this recipe is about to become a staple in your kitchen, joining your collection of favorite Beef Casserole Recipes.

Before we dive into the deliciousness, let’s talk about making meal prep and cooking even smoother. For perfectly diced onions and minced garlic in a flash, a reliable Cuisinart 8 Cup Food Processor is a game-changer. It handles fast chopping and slicing, making it an essential tool for all your meal prep. After you’ve enjoyed your amazing Easy Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole, you’ll likely have some fantastic leftovers. Keep them fresh and organized with the Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Set of 9. These leak-proof, stackable containers are perfect for meal prep storage, ensuring your culinary creations last longer. And speaking of freshness, if you like to buy your ground beef in bulk or want to freeze portions of your casserole, a FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine is invaluable. It keeps ingredients fresh longer and prevents freezer burn, preserving the quality of your food. While this particular recipe doesn’t require blending, for those who love making homemade creamy sauces or dressings to accompany their meals, the Ninja BN751 Professional Plus DUO Blender with its 1000W motor is perfect for everything from tahini sauce to harissa paste. And if you’re looking to roast some crispy vegetables or chickpeas as a side dish for your Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole, the Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer 6 Qt is excellent for large family capacity and perfect results.

Ingredients for Your Perfect Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Crafting the perfect Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole begins with selecting quality ingredients. This comforting dish relies on a simple yet robust combination of flavors to create a hearty and satisfying meal. Here’s what you’ll need, with plenty of options to customize your casserole just the way you like it.

Essential Ingredients:

• Ground Beef: 1 to 2 lbs (85/15 or 90/10 lean recommended)
• Rice: 2 to 4 cups cooked white or brown rice (or 1 to 2 cups uncooked, see notes)
• Cheese: 1.5 to 2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese, or a blend of Monterey Jack, mozzarella, havarti
• Onion: 1 small yellow onion, diced (about ½ to ¾ cup)
• Garlic: 2-3 cloves, minced (or 1 tablespoon)
• Creamy Soup Base: One 10.5 oz can Cream of Mushroom Soup (or Cream of Chicken Soup). Some prefer a homemade sauce using butter, flour, milk, and broth.
• Liquids: ½ cup to 1 cup Milk, and/or ½ cup to 2¼ cups Beef or Chicken Broth (especially if using uncooked rice), or ½ to 2¼ cups Water (often with cream soup)
• Seasonings: ½ tsp each Salt and Black Pepper (to taste), 1-2 tsp Dried Ranch Seasoning Mix (or 1 packet), 1.5 tsp Italian Seasoning (optional substitute for ranch), 1 tsp Garlic Powder, 1 tsp Onion Powder

Optional Add-ins & Variations:

• Dairy for Creaminess: ¼ to ½ cup Sour Cream, or 4 oz softened Mascarpone or Cream Cheese
• Tomato Products: One 10.5 oz can Canned Tomato Soup, or one 15 oz can Diced Tomatoes (fire-roasted recommended, drained), or 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
• Flavor Boosters: 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard, 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
• Vegetables: 3 peeled and sliced Carrots, 2 stalks diced Celery, 8 oz sliced button Mushrooms, ½ cup chopped Green Bell Pepper (or other colors), frozen corn, peas, or zucchini
• Extra Seasonings: ½ tsp Paprika, 1 tsp Chili Powder, ¼ tsp Ground Cumin, ¼ tsp Dried Oregano, Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning
• Garnish: Fresh Italian Parsley or Green Onions (minced/chopped)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Follow these detailed steps to create a delicious and comforting Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole that will have everyone asking for seconds. This easy ground beef casserole recipe is straightforward and rewarding!

1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or melted butter and set aside.
2. Cook Rice (if not pre-cooked): If your recipe calls for pre-cooked rice, prepare it according to package directions and set it aside. If you’re using uncooked rice that cooks within the casserole, you’ll add it in step 7.
3. Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned and no longer pink, typically 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat thoroughly.
4. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Sauté until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for 1 more minute until fragrant.
5. Season the Beef Mixture: Season the beef and onion mixture generously with salt, pepper, and your chosen seasonings. This is where you can infuse incredible flavor with dried ranch seasoning, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or chili powder. If incorporating tomato paste, stir it in and cook for about 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
6. Create the Sauce Base:
   • Using Canned Soup: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup (and/or tomato soup, or cream of chicken soup), milk, sour cream, and any mascarpone or cream cheese you’re using. Stir in about half of your shredded cheese.
   • From Scratch: Alternatively, for a homemade sauce, melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, then gradually add milk and chicken or beef broth, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Season with dry minced onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.
   • Tomato-based: If using diced tomatoes, condensed cream of mushroom soup, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, stir these directly into the beef mixture in the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low.
7. Combine Ingredients:
   • Add the cooked rice to the skillet with the beef mixture. If you’re using a separately prepared sauce (from step 6), pour it over the beef and rice. Fold everything together gently until all ingredients are well combined.
   • If you’re using uncooked rice that cooks within the casserole, combine the uncooked rice, any desired vegetables, your sauce base, and the necessary amount of water or broth directly in the greased baking dish, mixing thoroughly.
   • Optional: Stir in any additional vegetables like corn, peas, bell peppers, or pre-cooked mushrooms at this stage.
8. Assemble and Bake:
   • Pour the entire Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole mixture into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
   • Top evenly with the remaining shredded cheese.
   • Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil.
   • Bake for 20-25 minutes (if using pre-cooked rice). If using uncooked rice, bake for approximately 45 minutes, ensuring the rice and vegetables are tender. For more on optimizing your baking, you might find valuable insights in our sitemap of recipe posts.
9. Finish and Serve:
   • Remove the foil and broil for a few minutes, typically 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is beautifully bubbly, golden, and slightly caramelized or crispy. Watch carefully to prevent burning!
   • Let the Hamburger Rice Casserole sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This crucial resting period helps the casserole firm up for cleaner, more appealing slices.
   • Garnish with fresh Italian parsley or chopped green onions, if desired, for a touch of freshness and color. Enjoy your homemade Cheesy Ranch Ground Beef & Rice Casserole! You can explore more rice casserole recipes and ground beef casserole recipes on our site.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about making and enjoying your Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole, helping you perfect this comforting dish.

• Question: Can I make Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole ahead of time?

  Answer: Absolutely! You can assemble this delicious casserole up to 2 days before you plan to bake it. Follow all the steps through combining ingredients, then cover the dish tightly and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking, and you might need to add an extra 10 minutes to the covered baking time to ensure it heats through completely.

• Question: Can I freeze Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole?

  Answer: Yes, this casserole freezes wonderfully! Leftovers can be frozen in individual portions or as a whole. Some recipes even suggest freezing the assembled casserole (without the final cheese topping) for baking at a later date. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, or bake from frozen, adding extra time.

• Question: What vegetables can I add to Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole?

  Answer: This is a versatile dish! Common and tasty additions include frozen corn, peas, diced bell peppers (any color), fresh spinach (stirred in at the end), shaved Brussels sprouts, broccoli florets, or cauliflower. Add them in step 7 for a more nutritious and colorful meal.

• Question: Should the rice be cooked or uncooked?

  Answer: This is a key variation! Some recipes call for pre-cooked rice (typically 2-4 cups), while others use uncooked rice (1-1¼ cups) that cooks directly in the casserole with added liquid like broth or water. If using uncooked rice, ensure you have sufficient liquid and adjust your baking time accordingly to ensure the rice is tender.

• Question: Can I use instant rice?

  Answer: Yes, instant, or minute, rice can be a great time-saver for your Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole. When using it, some recommend slightly reducing the liquid in the recipe to prevent the casserole from becoming overly mushy, as instant rice absorbs liquid much faster. This can significantly cut down on your overall prep and cook time.

• Question: How do I make the casserole creamier?

  Answer: For an extra rich and creamy Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole, stir in a few spoonfuls (¼ to ½ cup) of sour cream, cream cheese, or even an extra can of cream of mushroom or chicken soup into the mixture before baking. This adds a delightful richness and moistness.

• Question: Can I make this casserole in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

  Answer: Yes, adaptations for both are possible! For a slow cooker, brown your ground beef first, then combine all ingredients (except the final cheese topping) in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, adding the cheese on top during the last 30 minutes. For an Instant Pot, brown the beef using the sauté setting, then carefully combine ingredients. You might need to cook the rice separately or use a “pot-in-pot” method to prevent it from getting mushy, then use a slow cook or pressure cook setting as appropriate for the specific recipe variation.

• Question: How do I prevent the casserole from being dry?

  Answer: To ensure a perfectly moist Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole, the key is sufficient liquid (broth, condensed soup, milk) in the mixture. Also, avoid overbaking; 20-25 minutes is often enough once combined, and longer baking can dry it out. Covering the dish with foil for most of the baking time also helps trap moisture.

• Question: What kind of cheese is best for Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole?

  Answer: Sharp cheddar is a perennial favorite, offering a bold, classic flavor to your Cheddar-crusted Ground Beef And Rice Casserole. However, for a smoother melt and a balanced taste, a blend of mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even havarti works wonderfully. For the best melting and flavor, we always recommend grating your own cheese from a block.

• Question: How do I reheat leftovers?

  Answer: Leftovers reheat beautifully! For a quick meal, simply pop a serving into the microwave until warmed through. You can also reheat the entire casserole, or larger portions, in the oven. Cover it with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.

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