A cheesy, savory, one-dish wonder loaded with seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and a creamy tomato sauce that the whole family will be begging for again and again!
THE EASIEST HAMBURGER AND RICE CASSEROLE YOU’LL EVER MAKE!
I have been making this Hamburger & Rice Casserole for years, and I honestly cannot tell you how many times it has saved my weeknights. It is one of those recipes that just does everything right — it is budget friendly, it feeds a crowd, and somehow every single person at the table cleans their bowl. Even the picky eaters! I’m not judging if you do a little happy dance when that happens, because I absolutely do.
This is the kind of comfort food I grew up on, and now I find myself making it on repeat for my own family. It comes together in about 45 minutes, uses ingredients I almost always have on hand, and it is completely from scratch — no canned soup shortcuts needed here. It is the kind of wholesome, nutritious weeknight meal that makes you feel like you’ve really got it together, even on a Tuesday when everything is chaos.
To make it a full meal, I love to serve this alongside a simple green salad or some roasted broccoli. A warm slice of crusty bread on the side doesn’t hurt either. It is one of those family favorite dinners that checks every single box — filling, nutritious, super simple, and absolutely delicious. Boom — dinner is served!
“I made this last week and my husband went back for thirds! I love that it uses simple pantry ingredients. This is definitely going into our regular dinner rotation. Thank you so much for sharing this keeper of a recipe!
— Sandra”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of rice?
Absolutely! Long-grain white rice works best for this recipe because it absorbs the liquid evenly and cooks up perfectly fluffy. That said, you can use jasmine rice as a great substitute. If you want to use brown rice, just be aware it will need more liquid and a longer cook time — add an extra half cup of broth and increase the baking time by about 20 minutes.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, of course! You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover it tightly with foil, and keep it in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes and then pop it in the oven. You may need to add 5-10 extra minutes to the bake time since it is starting cold.
Can I freeze Hamburger & Rice Casserole?
Absolutely! This casserole freezes really well. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight freezer-safe container or portion it into individual servings for easy lunches. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat covered in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
What can I substitute for the ground beef?
Ground turkey or ground chicken work great here and keep it a little lighter — I am a happy camper either way! You could also use Italian sausage if you want a bolder flavor. Whatever you prefer, just make sure to drain off any excess fat after browning so the casserole does not turn out greasy.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave in 60-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. You can also reheat it in the oven covered with foil at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes.
Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
Yes, of course! This recipe is super flexible. I love stirring in a cup of frozen peas, corn, or diced bell pepper right before the casserole goes into the oven. Diced zucchini is also a great addition. It is a wonderful way to sneak in some extra nutrients and get a fully nutritious meal in one dish.
Can I use a different cheese?
Absolutely! I use sharp cheddar because I love the bold, cheesy flavor it brings, but Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or even a Mexican cheese blend all work beautifully here. Whatever you have on hand is totally fine — this dish is very forgiving and hard to mess up!
Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below for the Full Recipe)
- Ground beef — I use 80/20 lean ground beef for the best flavor. Drain the fat well after browning. Ground turkey works great too if you want something leaner.
- Long-grain white rice — Uncooked rice goes right into the casserole and cooks in the oven, soaking up all that wonderful flavor. Do not use instant rice here — it will turn mushy.
- Beef broth — This is what cooks the rice and gives the whole dish a deep, savory flavor. Low-sodium broth is a great choice if you are watching your salt intake.
- Diced tomatoes — One can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes adds so much flavor. Regular diced tomatoes work just as well if that is what you have on hand.
- Tomato sauce — This creates that rich, creamy tomato base that makes every bite so satisfying. You can also use crushed tomatoes in a pinch.
- Onion — A yellow onion diced up and sautéed with the beef adds a wonderful savory depth to the dish.
- Garlic — Fresh minced garlic is my go-to, but garlic powder works in a pinch. I use about three cloves — you can always add more if you love garlic!
- Worcestershire sauce — Just a splash gives the beef a rich, umami flavor that really takes this casserole to the next level. Do not skip it!
- Italian seasoning — A simple blend that seasons the whole dish beautifully. Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
- Sharp cheddar cheese — Freshly shredded cheese melts so much better than pre-shredded. It goes on top for that golden, bubbly, gorgeous finish.
- Sour cream — Just a half cup stirred into the beef mixture before baking makes the whole casserole incredibly creamy and rich. Greek yogurt works as a lighter swap.
- Salt and pepper — Season to taste as you go — keep tasting until it is seasoned the way you like.
How to Make Hamburger & Rice Casserole
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. Set that aside. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook your ground beef and diced onion together, breaking the beef up as it cooks, until the meat is browned and the onion is soft — about 7-8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat so your casserole does not turn out greasy, then return the skillet to the heat.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly — you want to make sure it does not burn. Then stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good mix so the beef is beautifully seasoned all the way through. I like to taste a little bite of the beef at this stage and adjust the seasoning before moving on.
Now you are going to pull together the casserole base. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, uncooked rice, and sour cream. Mix everything together really well — you want to make sure the rice is fully submerged in the liquid so it cooks evenly in the oven. This is the moment where it all comes together and starts smelling absolutely incredible.
Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out into an even layer. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil — this is super important because the steam is what cooks the rice. Bake covered at 375°F for 45 minutes. At the 45-minute mark, carefully remove the foil and check that the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Give it a little stir if needed.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of the casserole, then return it to the oven uncovered for another 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving — this helps everything set up nicely. Then scoop it into bowls, top with a little fresh parsley if you like, and boom — dinner is served!
Pro Tips
- Do not use instant rice — Instant or quick-cooking rice will turn mushy and gummy in this casserole since it is already partially cooked. Stick with regular long-grain white rice for the best texture.
- Cover tightly with foil — Sealing the foil tightly is key for getting the rice to cook properly. If steam escapes, the rice may come out undercooked and crunchy. Crimp those edges!
- Shred your own cheese — Pre-shredded cheese is coated in starches that prevent it from melting as smoothly. Taking the extra two minutes to shred a block of sharp cheddar yourself makes a really noticeable difference.
- Drain the fat well — After browning your ground beef, make sure to drain it thoroughly. This keeps the casserole from being oily and makes for a much cleaner, more nutritious final dish.
- Let it rest before serving — I know it is tempting to dig right in, but letting the casserole sit for 5 minutes after it comes out of the oven helps the rice firm up slightly and makes it much easier to serve in nice portions.
- Taste and season as you go — Every brand of broth and canned tomatoes has a different salt level, so keep tasting the mixture before it goes into the oven and adjust with salt and pepper until you love it.
What to Serve with Hamburger & Rice Casserole
This casserole is pretty much a complete meal on its own, but a simple side dish really rounds out the dinner table beautifully. My personal favorite pairing is a big, crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette — the brightness of the salad is such a nice contrast to the rich, creamy casserole. Here are a few other great options:
- Roasted broccoli — Toss with olive oil and garlic and roast at 400°F while the casserole bakes. Easy, nutritious, and the whole family loves it.
- Garlic bread — Perfect for scooping up every last bit of that cheesy tomato sauce from the bowl. Highly recommended!
- Steamed green beans — Simple, fresh, and a great way to add some more vegetables to the table.
- Simple green salad — My personal favorite! A romaine salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and Italian dressing is perfect alongside this dish.
- Cornbread — A warm slice of homemade cornbread is such a cozy pairing with this casserole. It is total comfort food heaven.
- Roasted carrots — A little sweetness from roasted carrots balances the savory casserole perfectly and adds a great pop of color to the plate.
No matter what you choose to serve alongside it, this meal is going to be a huge hit at your table — enjoy every single bite!
Hamburger & Rice Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking the beef up with a spoon, for 7-8 minutes until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess fat.
- Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, beef broth, uncooked rice, and sour cream until everything is well combined and the rice is fully submerged in the liquid.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Cover very tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 45 minutes.
- Carefully remove the foil. Check that the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.
