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This Hamburger Rice Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and budget-friendly recipe made with ground beef, rice, and simple pantry staples. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep and the ultimate comfort food.

A rice and hamburger casserole bakes beautifully in a white rectangular dish, topped with melted cheese and garnished with parsley. It's elegantly set on a light surface beside a wooden lid, fresh parsley, a striped cloth, and a bowl of shredded cheese.
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Why You’ll Love Hamburger Rice Casserole!

A woman with long dark hair, wearing earrings and a burgundy top, smiles at the camera in front of a textured, beige background.

This Hamburger Rice Casserole is the perfect dish to serve for family gatherings or busy weeknights when we need something hearty but simple. I love how it uses basic ingredients such as ground beef, rice, and a creamy cheesy sauce to create something that feels so comforting and satisfying.

It’s one of those recipes you can dress up with different seasonings or toppings for a family favorite meal. It is packed with delicious flavor and can be served as a full meal or served with your favorite side dish recipes.

It is the perfect dish to make ahead of time or to meal prep for the week. If you are looking for a hearty dish that the whole family will love, this casserole recipe is the one to make.

Ingredients

Top view of casserole ingredients for a delicious recipe, featuring ground beef, shredded cheese, rice, broth, cream soup, and spices on a light surface.

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.

How to Make Hamburger Rice Casserole

Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

A frying pan with raw ground beef chunks, reminiscent of a hearty hamburger, and a wooden spatula rests on a light surface. A checkered kitchen towel lies beside the pan, setting the stage for a comforting meal.

Step 2 – In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.

A white casserole dish on a light surface contains ingredients for an unbaked rice casserole, featuring shredded cheese and sauce with a wooden spoon resting inside. A checkered cloth is partially visible on the left, hinting at comforting homemade flavors.

Step 3 – In the greased casserole dish, combine the browned beef, uncooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, garlic salt, onion powder, smoked paprika, and pepper. Stir beef mixture until everything is well combined.

A baking dish covered with aluminum foil rests on a light gray surface, hinting at the steaming casserole inside. A black and white checkered cloth is partially visible on the left side, adding a touch of cozy charm to the setting.

Step 4 – Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Continue cooking if rice is not fully tender.

A casserole dish brimming with shredded cheddar cheese and savory hamburger sits on a textured surface. A black and white checkered cloth is partially visible on the left side, adding a touch of charm to this hearty delight.

Step 5 – Once the rice is tender, remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, and return the casserole to the oven, uncovered. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Then serve & enjoy!

A casserole dish brimming with a savory beef, rice, and cheese medley is topped with melted cheddar and garnished with herbs. A serving rests enticingly on a nearby plate, while in the background, a bowl of shredded cheddar and fresh parsley awaits.
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A casserole dish brimming with cheesy ground beef and noodle casserole, topped with melted cheddar and fresh parsley. A serving spoon rests inside, next to a square piece on a white plate. Shredded cheese and a cloth lie beside the hearty hamburger delight.

Hamburger Rice Casserole

5 from 4 votes
This Hamburger Rice Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and budget-friendly recipe made with ground beef, rice, and simple pantry staples. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep and the ultimate comfort food.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 546
Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
  • In the greased baking dish, combine the browned beef, uncooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, garlic salt, onion powder, smoked paprika, and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined.
  • Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  • After 45 minutes, carefully remove the dish from the oven and check the rice. If it’s not fully tender, recover with foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes.
  • Once the rice is tender, remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, and return the casserole to the oven, uncovered. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Let the casserole stand for about 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Make sure the aluminum foil is tightly sealed around the baking dish. This traps the steam needed to cook the rice properly. If steam escapes, the rice may not cook evenly or might remain crunchy.
After Step #6, if the casserole seems too liquidy, bake uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow excess moisture to evaporate before adding cheese.
The 5-minute rest at the end is important. It allows the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and the casserole to set, making it easier to serve.
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Additions and Variations Ideas

  • Veggies – This casserole is delicious with the addition of vegetables of your choice such as mushrooms, corn, peas, diced tomatoes, green beans and bell peppers.
  • Worcestershire Sauce – For even more flavor add in 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 546kcal, Carbohydrates 35g, Protein 29g, Fat 32g, Saturated Fat 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 11g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 103mg, Sodium 1354mg, Potassium 583mg, Fiber 4g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 781IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 329mg, Iron 4mg

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What to Serve with Hamburger Rice Casserole?

Frequently Asked Questions

What Type of Rice is Best?

We made this rice with uncooked long grain white rice. You can also use brown rice but you will need to increase the cooking time as brown rice cooks longer.

How to Store Leftover Casserole

Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Can I Freeze Hamburger Rice Casserole?

Place the leftovers in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge when ready to reheat.

How to Reheat

Reheat the leftovers in the oven in a baking dish or you can reheat in the microwave for individual servings.

A close-up of a cheesy hamburger casserole topped with melted cheddar and garnished with herbs in a white baking dish. A serving is being lifted out with a large spoon, showcasing layers of delicious ingredients.

More Easy Hamburger Casserole

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie Barnard — a professional food blogger with over 14 years of experience helping busy families make dinner fast, easy, and affordable.

At Eating on a Dime, I share simple, budget-friendly recipes that are tested in my own kitchen and approved by my 8 kids. With millions of readers each month, I’m here to help you cook real food for real families — without the stress.

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5 from 4 votes

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Comments

  1. Laura says:

    5 stars
    I made this last night for dinner without changes. It was really good. My husband kept going back for more. It is easy to make, and about all the ingredients are ones we usually have on hand. I will make this again. Next time I might dice a tomato up and add it to the casserole.

    Reply
  2. Dianne Paron says:

    5 stars
    Carrie, if we do a 12-serving version (using 2 lbs of meat, 2 cups of rice) do you know if it will still fit in the 9×13 baking dish – or not? Looks SO good!

    Reply
    1. Carrie Barnard says:

      Dianne – I haven’t tested that yet so I’m not sure. I would bake in 2 different pans to be safe. Thank you for the psotive review!

      Reply
      1. Dianne Paron says:

        5 stars
        Thanks Carrie! Made it for the first time last night and it was a HUGE hit! And you’re right, there’s no way that doubling the recipe would still fit in the 9×13 baking dish. Thanks for an easy and very tasty recipe.

  3. Casey says:

    5 stars
    The perfect casserole for a weeknight meal! It is so good.

    Reply