Description
Hearty hamburger rice casserole combines ground beef, rice, and creamy cheese in a comfort-packed one-dish meal. Simple ingredients create a satisfying dinner perfect for family gatherings and quick weeknight meals you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (200 g) uncooked white or brown rice
- 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz or 300 g) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Meat Mixture: In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onions, bell peppers, and garlic until vegetables are translucent. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
- Liquid Infusion: Combine uncooked rice, beef broth, mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Whisk until ingredients are fully integrated.
- Assembly: Pour beef mixture into the prepared baking dish, then spread the rice-broth mixture evenly over the meat. Gently mix layers to ensure uniform flavor distribution.
- Initial Baking: Cover dish completely with aluminum foil and bake for 40-45 minutes, allowing rice to absorb liquid and become tender.
- Cheese Finale: Remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, and return to oven for 5-10 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
- Serving: Let casserole rest for a few minutes to set. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot for maximum flavor and comfort.
Notes
- Select High-Quality Meat: Choose lean ground beef with 80/20 fat ratio for optimal flavor and moisture without excessive grease.
- Prevent Rice Clumping: Rinse uncooked rice before mixing to remove excess starch and ensure separate, fluffy grains throughout the casserole.
- Customize Vegetable Mix: Swap bell peppers with zucchini or carrots for different nutritional profiles and unique flavor variations to suit dietary preferences.
- Enhance Cheese Layer: Experiment with cheese blend like mixing cheddar with monterey jack or adding parmesan for deeper, more complex cheese flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg