Savory Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Hamburger rice casserole weaves comfort and convenience into a single delightful dish that sparks mealtime excitement.

Families adore quick dinners that satisfy hunger without complex preparation.

My grandmother shared this nostalgic recipe decades ago, teaching me how simple ingredients can create magic.

Hearty ground beef mingles with fluffy rice, creating layers of warmth and flavor.

Weeknight meals demand smart solutions, and this casserole delivers precisely what busy households crave.

Weekends or busy evenings call for meals that bring everyone together around the table.

Dive into this uncomplicated yet delicious recipe that promises smiles and satisfied appetites.

What Makes Hamburger Rice Casserole So Good

• Quick Comfort Meal: Whip up a hearty, satisfying dish with minimal effort and simple ingredients that come together effortlessly.
• Budget-Friendly Delight: Enjoy a filling casserole that won't break the bank, using affordable pantry staples like ground beef, rice, and canned soups.
• One-Pan Dish: Minimize kitchen cleanup with this single-dish recipe that bakes everything together, saving time and reducing dirty dishes.
• Family-Pleasing Flavor: Create a crowd-pleasing meal that appeals to both kids and adults, delivering a classic combination of meat and rice with rich, savory notes.

Hamburger Rice Casserole Ingredient List

• Ground Beef: Rich and hearty protein perfect for a satisfying meal.

• White Rice: Classic grain that absorbs delicious flavors wonderfully.

• French Onion Soup, Beef Consomme: Savory liquid base that adds deep, rich flavor to the casserole.

• Butter: Creamy addition that helps enhance overall taste and texture.

• Chives: Fresh green herb for a light, bright finishing touch.

• Cooking Spray: Helps prevent sticking in the baking dish.
• Aluminum Foil: Used for covering during initial baking stage.

How To Prepare Hamburger Rice Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Heat your oven to a toasty 425°F.

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray of nonstick cooking spray to prevent any stubborn sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Toss ground beef into a medium skillet and cook over medium heat.

Break up the meat as it sizzles, cooking until it turns completely brown and loses its pink color.

This should take about 8-10 minutes.

Drain away any extra grease to keep things light and tasty.

Step 3: Create the First Layer

Spread the perfectly browned beef evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle uncooked rice over the beef, creating a delicious base layer.

Step 4: Add Liquid Magic

• French onion soup
• Beef consomme

Gently stir everything together so the liquid starts to mingle with the beef and rice.

Step 5: Dot with Butter Goodness

Place butter slices carefully across the top of the rice mixture.

These will melt and create an extra layer of rich flavor.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish completely with aluminum foil.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 30 minutes.

You’re looking for rice that’s tender and fully cooked.

Step 7: Final Touch

If you want to add a pop of color and fresh flavor, sprinkle some chopped chives over the top before serving.

This step is totally optional but adds a nice finishing touch.

Serve hot and enjoy your comforting beef and rice casserole!

Smart Tips For Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Remove as much fat as possible when draining ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, lighter dish.
• Sprinkle dried herbs like thyme or oregano into the beef while cooking to enhance the overall taste profile of the casserole.
• Choose long-grain white rice for the best texture, ensuring it absorbs liquid evenly and becomes perfectly tender during baking.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner alternative that maintains the dish's delicious comfort food essence.
• Cover the casserole with foil during initial baking to lock in moisture and create a consistently creamy, well-cooked result.

Store And Reheat Hamburger Rice Casserole Easily

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm at 350°F covered with foil for 15-20 minutes, adding a splash of broth to prevent dryness.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until thoroughly warmed.

What Goes With Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Pair Perfectly with Hearty Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the hamburger rice casserole, cutting through the dish's richness with bold tannins.
• Create Fresh Green Contrast: Serve alongside a crisp mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the casserole's hearty warmness, adding brightness and lightness to the meal.
• Match with Comfort Side Vegetables: Roast seasonal vegetables like Brussels sprouts or glazed carrots to enhance the casserole's savory profile, providing additional nutritional depth and textural variety.
• Elevate with Zesty Condiments: Offer homemade garlic aioli or spicy sriracha mayo on the side, allowing diners to customize their experience and add an extra flavor dimension to the comforting main dish.

Flavor Twists For Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Replace rice with riced cauliflower for a keto-friendly version that cuts carbohydrates and adds extra nutrition.
• Vegetarian Ground Beef Alternative: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils to create a meatless protein-packed casserole that maintains the original recipe's hearty texture.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free French onion soup and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free to make this recipe safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine and ensure all other ingredients are dairy-free for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.

FAQs

• What makes this hamburger rice casserole different from other casserole recipes?

This recipe uses French onion soup and beef consomme as liquid bases, which adds rich, deep flavor to the simple ingredients and creates a more complex taste profile compared to typical casseroles.

• Is it necessary to drain the ground beef after cooking?

Yes, draining excess grease is important to prevent the casserole from becoming too oily and to ensure a better texture and taste in the final dish.

• Can I use different types of meat in this recipe?

Ground beef works best, but you could substitute ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer a leaner protein option, keeping in mind that the flavor might be slightly different.

• Do I really need to use both French onion soup and beef consomme?

These two ingredients create a unique flavor depth, but if you’re unable to find both, you can substitute with beef broth or cream of mushroom soup as alternative options.

Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty hamburger rice casserole brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables with its simple, satisfying blend of ground beef, rice, and cheesy goodness. Families will love this quick one-pan meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 g) ground beef

Grains:

• 2 cups (370 g) long-grain white rice, uncooked

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 cans (10.5 ounces / 298 g each) French onion soup
• 2 cans (10.5 ounces / 298 g each) beef consommé
• 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, sliced into pats

Garnish:

• Chopped chives (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious baking dish by coating it with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring even coverage.
2. Heat a skillet over medium temperature and thoroughly cook ground beef until completely browned, carefully eliminating any accumulated fat.
3. Create an initial layer of cooked ground beef across the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly.
4. Sprinkle uncooked rice evenly over the meat layer, creating a consistent coverage.
5. Gently pour French onion soup and beef consomme across the rice and meat mixture, using a light stirring motion to integrate the liquids.
6. Strategically place butter slices across the surface, distributing them to ensure balanced melting and flavor infusion.
7. Shield the casserole with aluminum foil, creating a sealed environment for initial cooking.
8. Position the covered dish in a preheated oven at 425°F and allow to bake for half an hour.
9. Remove the foil covering, exposing the casserole to direct heat for another 30 minutes until rice reaches perfect tenderness and liquid is absorbed.
10. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped chives to enhance visual appeal and provide a subtle herbal note before serving.

Notes

• Customize meat options by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein alternative.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions during the beef browning stage for extra texture and nutrition.
• Ensure rice cooks perfectly by using a quick-cooking rice variety or slightly reducing liquid quantities if using long-grain rice to prevent mushiness.
• Make the dish gluten-free by verifying that French onion soup and beef consomme are certified gluten-free brands before preparing the recipe.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 498
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg