Hamburger Rice Casserole

A close up of a spoon holding some of the cheesy rice casserole on it above the white pan of casserole.

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.

Course Casserole, Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword hamburger rice casserole

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Servings

Calories 379kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

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 9x13-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