BEST HAMBURGER RICE CASSEROLE

Picture this: a bubbling, cheesy casserole dish filled with savory ground beef, tender rice, and a creamy sauce that will have everyone reaching for seconds. This Hamburger Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, a weeknight dinner champion, and the answer to “what’s for dinner?” dilemmas! Get ready to experience pure deliciousness with this easy, family-friendly recipe; I promise it will become a new staple in your household.

Ingredients

For the Beef Mixture:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Rice Layer:

• 1 cup long-grain rice, uncooked
• 2 cups beef broth

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Started: Prepare the Beef

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the minced garlic, diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cook the Rice

1. While the beef mixture is simmering, prepare the rice. In a medium saucepan, combine the uncooked rice and beef broth.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

Make the Cheese Sauce

1. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
3. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
4. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook until the sauce has thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

Assemble the Casserole

1. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Spread the cooked rice evenly over the bottom of the dish.
3. Pour the beef mixture over the rice layer.
4. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the beef mixture.

Bake the Casserole

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
2. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Hamburger Rice Casserole

Okay, friend, let’s talk about making this Hamburger Rice Casserole truly spectacular. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to ensure your casserole is the talk of the table!

Spice It Up!

Feeling adventurous? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture for a little kick. You could also substitute a can of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies for the plain diced tomatoes. If you’re already in the mood for something with a bit of a kick, you might also like Mexican Beef And Rice Soup!

Cheesy Goodness

Don’t skimp on the cheese! Use a good quality cheddar cheese for the best flavor and melt. You can also experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a blend of cheddar and mozzarella for a gooey, cheesy delight. For a cheesier experience, consider trying Creamy Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup or Creamy Cheeseburger Soup!

Rice Perfection

Using long-grain rice is crucial for this recipe, as it holds its shape better during baking. However, if you’re in a pinch, you can use instant rice. Just be sure to adjust the amount of liquid accordingly. If you love a good rice-based casserole, you might like Black Beans And Rice With Sausage as well.

Make-Ahead Magic

This Hamburger Rice Casserole is perfect for making ahead! You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through. This also makes it one of the best Slow Cooker Recetas if you were to slightly adapt it!

Crockpot Conversion: Your Slow Cooker’s New Best Friend

Guess what? You can totally adapt this Hamburger Rice Casserole for your crockpot! It’s a fantastic way to enjoy this comfort food with minimal effort, making it one of the best Favorite Crockpot Meals. Here’s how:

Crockpot Directions

1. Brown the ground beef as directed in the original recipe. Drain off any excess grease.
2. In a large bowl, combine the browned ground beef, onion, bell pepper, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the mixture into your slow cooker.
4. In the same bowl, combine the uncooked rice and beef broth. Pour this mixture over the beef mixture in the slow cooker.
5. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, or until the rice is tender. Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker, so check it regularly. This would also qualify as one of the best Crockpot Meals 4 Hours Or Less!
6. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, prepare the cheese sauce as directed in the original recipe.
7. Pour the cheese sauce over the casserole in the slow cooker. Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Crockpot Tips

• Grease your slow cooker before adding the ingredients to prevent sticking.
• Avoid lifting the lid frequently during cooking, as this can release heat and prolong the cooking time.
• If you want a thicker casserole, you can stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• For another great slow cooker option, consider Slow Cooker Taco Casserole.
• And yes, this can be one of the best Crockpot Dinner Pasta if you adapt the recipe and use pasta instead of rice!

Variations to Try

Want to switch things up? Here are a few variations to keep this recipe interesting:

• Vegetarian: Substitute the ground beef with lentils or plant-based ground beef.
• Different Veggies: Add other vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini.
• Different Cheese: Use different types of cheese, such as pepper jack, Gruyere, or provolone.
• Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
• Why not try Instant Pot Hobo Casserole for another variation on a classic casserole?

Serving Suggestions

This Hamburger Rice Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to make it even better:

• Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables.
• Top with sour cream, chopped green onions, or a dollop of salsa.
• Serve with garlic bread or crusty rolls for dipping into the cheesy sauce.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – the ultimate Hamburger Rice Casserole recipe that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite. With its customizable ingredients and easy preparation, this casserole is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for comforting, delicious food. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven (or fire up your slow cooker!), and get ready to create a culinary masterpiece. Enjoy!

BEST Hamburger Rice Casserole

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Hamburger Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a savory ground beef and rice mixture baked in a creamy cheese sauce. It’s an easy, family-friendly recipe perfect for weeknight dinners and guaranteed to become a household staple.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Medium saucepan
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Mixing Bowls
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Oven

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup long-grain rice, uncooked
• 2 cups beef broth
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
• Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the minced garlic, diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While the beef mixture is simmering, prepare the rice. In a medium saucepan, combine the uncooked rice and beef broth.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
• In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
• Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
• Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook until the sauce has thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Spread the cooked rice evenly over the bottom of the dish.
• Pour the beef mixture over the rice layer.
• Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the beef mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
• Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For a spicier casserole, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or substitute Rotel diced tomatoes for plain diced tomatoes. Monterey Jack or Colby Jack cheese can be used instead of cheddar. The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. It can also be adapted for a slow cooker; cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, adding the cheese sauce in the last 30 minutes.