This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy.
Hamburger Rice Casserole is hearty, cheesy, and perfect for an easy family dinner with minimal prep needed. Ground beef, instant rice, and a rich savory sauce with cream of mushroom soup and French onion soup, bake together in a comforting one casserole dish meal. It’s simple to throw together and comes out hot, bubbly, and full of flavor every time.
For more variations of cheesy hamburger casserole – try these ones with potato in them instead of rice! Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole made with thinly sliced fresh potatoes, and this Cheesy Ground Beef Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole made with frozen shredded hash browns.
Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole
Looking for an easy, budget-friendly dinner casserole that the whole family will love? This hamburger rice casserole is the ultimate comfort food recipe made with ground beef, tender rice, cream of mushroom soup, French onion soup, and melted cheese.
It’s hearty, simple to make with minimal prep, made with easy ingredients and perfect for a cozy weekend dinner or even busy weeknights. It’s a weeknight dinner classic that always gets clean plates.
With just a few pantry ingredients you can have this delicious ground beef casserole baking in the oven in just minutes. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or just craving a cozy semi-homemade dinner, this cheesy hamburger rice casserole always hits the spot.
Why You’ll Love Hamburger Rice Casserole
- 🧅 Easy one casserole dish comfort food
- 🧅 Family-friendly and kid-approved
- 🧅 Uses simple pantry staples, and convenient store-bought ingredients
- 🧅 Budget friendly dinner recipe
- 🧅 Ready with minimal prep
Basic Ingredients Needed
- Lean Ground Beef : I use 93/7 ground beef. Ground turkey can be substituted but I prefer this casserole with ground beef.
- Onion : I like using a sweet onion but other great options are a yellow onion or white onion.
- Minced Garlic : You can mince or press fresh garlic cloves, use chopped garlic from a jar, or use garlic paste.
- Beef Broth : Beef stock, beef bone broth, low-sodium versions, or water + beef bouillon are all options as well.
- Instant Rice : No substitutes! You need to use instant or minute rice in the recipe.
- French Onion Soup : This is a can of soup and is labeled as ‘condensed French onion soup’.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup : A 10.5 oz can of condensed cream of mushroom soup.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
How To Make Hamburger Rice Casserole with Ground Beef (Printable Recipe Card)
Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook and crumble until the ground beef is no longer pink. Drain or soak up any excess grease from the skillet.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, while stirring, until fragrant.
Add the beef broth, instant rice, French onion soup, and cream of mushroom soup into the skillet. Stir until mixed well.
Pour the ground beef mixture into the prepared casserole baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes.
Remove the foil and fluff the rice mixture with a fork. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top, and bake uncovered, for an additional 5-10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
How To Store Leftovers
Hamburger rice casserole should be stored in a covered airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3-4 days. You can also keep the casserole inside the casserole dish and cover it with plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or a lid.
To reheat, microwave in 45-60 seconds intervals until it reaches the desired temperature.
To freeze, put the casserole in a freezer-safe container or bag, and keep it frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Pro Cooking Tips From The Test Kitchen
- No substitutes for the instant rice! It’s usually sold under the brand name ‘Minute Rice’ and comes in a red box instead of the usual bag that regular rice is sold in. You will find it in the same aisle as the rice, but look for the instant rice or minute rice. The microwaveable rice pouches are not the same thing and cannot be substituted for minute rice.
- It’s best to use medium cheddar cheese or sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor. I also prefer shredding my own cheese from a block for this recipe. Other cheese options include shredded white cheddar cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese for some spice, or muenster cheese.
- There is no added salt in the recipe so I think the regular versions of all the products work just fine, but if you are sensitive to salt or watching sodium intake, then use the lower-sodium versions of the products listed. Not sure how the flavor will be but you could always add salt if needed.
- I prefer a sweet onion but a yellow onion or white onion works just as well.
- Serve this casserole with some toasted bread like baguette, focaccia bread, artisan bread, sourdough, or ciabatta bread. A side of sautéed green beans or broccoli is a great choice also.
Recipe FAQs
What Is Instant Rice? Is There Something Else I Can Use?
Instant rice is usually sold under the brand name Minute Rice. It comes in a red box instead of the usual bag that rice is sold in. You can find instant rice in the same aisle as the rice. The microwaveable rice pouches are not the same thing and can’t be used as a substitute.
How Could I Add A Crunchy Element To The Casserole?
If you want a little crunch, add bacon bits (these will make the casserole saltier) or French fried onions on top when you remove the foil and add the cheese.
What Is The Best Way To Add Spice?
If you want to add some spice to an individual serving you can add some crushed red pepper flakes and/or hot sauce. If you want to add spice to the entire casserole dish, adding ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper before baking the casserole will do the trick. So add in the cayenne pepper alongside the canned ingredients and beef broth.
More Easy Casserole Recipes
- Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole Recipe
- Baked Tortellini Casserole
- Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe
- Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Recipe
- Walking Taco Casserole Recipe (with Frito Chips)
- Philly Cheesesteak Tater Tot Casserole
- Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
- Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Spaghetti Casserole
- Fiesta Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Teriyaki Casserole
- Chicken Alfredo Bubble Up Bake
Hamburger Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (I use 93/7)
- 1 onion finely diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup instant white rice
- 1 can (10.5 oz) French onion soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook and crumble until the ground beef is no longer pink. Drain or soak up any excess grease from the skillet.1 pound ground beef, 1 onion
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, while stirring, until fragrant.1 tablespoon minced garlic
- Add the beef broth, instant rice, French onion soup, and cream of mushroom soup into the skillet. Stir until mixed well.1 cup beef broth, 1 cup instant white rice, 1 can (10.5 oz) French onion soup, 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- Pour the ground beef mixture into the prepared casserole baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes.
- Remove the foil and fluff the rice mixture with a fork. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top, and bake uncovered, for an additional 5-10 minutes until golden and bubbly.2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- No substitutes for the instant rice! It’s usually sold under the brand name ‘Minute Rice’ and comes in a red box instead of the usual bag that regular rice is sold in. You will find it in the same aisle as the rice, but look for the instant rice or minute rice. The microwaveable rice pouches are not the same thing and cannot be substituted for minute rice.
- It’s best to use medium cheddar cheese or sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor. I also prefer shredding my own cheese from a block for this recipe. Other cheese options include shredded white cheddar cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese for some spice, or muenster cheese.
- There is no added salt in the recipe so I think the regular versions of all the products work just fine, but if you are sensitive to salt or watching sodium intake, then use the lower-sodium versions of the products listed. Not sure how the flavor will be but you could always add salt if needed.
- I prefer a sweet onion but a yellow onion or white onion works just as well.
- Serve this casserole with some toasted bread like baguette, focaccia bread, artisan bread, sourdough, or ciabatta bread. A side of sautéed green beans or broccoli is a great choice also.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love to see it! You can share it with me on @togetherasfamilyblog and follow on Pinterest @together-as-family-blog-recipes or Facebook @togetherasfamilyblog for more!
Did you love this recipe?
Make sure to comment below so we can chat about it! Or follow on your favorite social network for even more family recipes.