Description
Comfort meets convenience in this cheesy hamburger rice casserole, blending hearty ground beef with creamy melted cheese and fluffy rice. Midwestern home cooking shines through with this simple, satisfying one-pan meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Grains and Liquid Base:
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 2 cups beef broth
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Canned and Prepared Ingredients:
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can diced tomatoes
Seasonings and Oils:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for the casserole.
- Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces and cooking until completely browned. Carefully drain any accumulated grease.
- Mix uncooked rice, beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture. Stir thoroughly and bring to a gentle boil.
- Pour the entire mixture into a greased baking dish, ensuring even distribution.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid and become tender.
- Remove the foil and generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the dish set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that reduces saturated fat intake.
- Use brown rice instead of white rice to boost nutritional value and add more fiber and complex carbohydrates to the dish.
- Choose low-sodium beef broth and cream of mushroom soup to control salt levels, making the casserole more heart-friendly and suitable for those watching sodium consumption.
- Add diced bell peppers or zucchini during the onion sautéing stage to increase vegetable content and enhance overall nutritional profile of the casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg