Amazing 35 Minute Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Name: Amazing 35 Minute Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 onion, chopped; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 cup long-grain rice, uncooked; 2 cups beef broth; 1 (10.75 oz) can cream of mushroom soup; 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon paprika; ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

By Daniel Carter on November 21, 2025

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If you are searching for that perfect, easy weeknight dinner that tastes like a warm hug, look no further than this Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole. Seriously, this is going straight into your regular rotation! I’m Daniel, and when I started Reciqa, I wanted to share simple, tasty recipes that anyone could jump into, even on a busy Tuesday night. For me, cooking has always been about creating comfort and connection around the table. This casserole hits that mark perfectly—it’s the ultimate comfort bake, mixing hearty ground beef, fluffy rice, and that creamy soup base everyone loves, all topped with bubbly cheese.

It’s so straightforward; you barely need a recipe card once you make it the first time. We’re talking about a dish that delivers maximum flavor for minimum fuss, which is exactly the kind of joyful and nourishing food I want to bring into your kitchen. Forget complicated steps; this Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole proves that the best meals are often the easiest ones!

Gathering What You Need for Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Before we even think about turning on the stove, we need to make sure our kitchen arsenal is ready. This Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole is truly a one-dish wonder once it gets into the oven, but we need a couple of key players to handle the stovetop action first. Don’t worry, nothing fancy here—just the basics that every good home cook has lying around.

Getting your tools ready upfront makes the whole process so smooth; trust me, you don’t want to be scrambling for a big dish when the beef is already browned!

Essential Equipment for This Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

A large skillet or frying pan for cooking the meat and simmering the base.
A sturdy wooden spoon or spatula for stirring everything together.
A 9×13 inch baking dish—this is the perfect size to make sure everyone gets enough!
Aluminum foil for covering the casserole during the initial bake.
Measuring cups and spoons, because while I love winging it sometimes, baking needs a little precision.

Preparing the Ingredients for Your Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Now that we have our tools ready, let’s talk about the stars of the show! The beauty of this Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole is that it relies on pantry staples, but how you prep them really changes the final texture. We aren’t doing any fancy soaking or toasting here, but we do need to be specific about chopping the onion and garlic so they melt right into the sauce and don’t leave any big, sharp bites.

Precision matters, especially when you’re adding uncooked rice directly to the liquid. We need the right ratio of broth to soup to ensure that rice cooks up perfectly tender and creamy, not crunchy or mushy. Keep your shredded cheddar handy; that’s the glorious payoff at the end of this simple cooking journey!

Ingredient Specifications and Preparation Details

When you look at the list below, pay close attention to the state of the ingredients. The onion needs to be chopped small—think about the size of a grain of rice, almost—so it disappears into the sauce while cooking. The garlic should be minced fine, too. Remember, the rice must be uncooked; that’s key to the texture of this Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole.

The broth and soup are the liquids that cook that rice right in the oven! Measure your seasonings carefully; the paprika adds a nice warmth, but too much salt can overwhelm the richness of the beef and cheese. We want a perfectly balanced bite every time.

Ingredient Table for Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Here is everything you need to assemble your Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole. Having this ready makes Step 1 a breeze!

Ingredient	Amount	Preparation Note
Ground Beef	1 lb	Raw
Onion	1	Chopped
Garlic Clove	1	Minced
Long-Grain Rice	1 cup	Uncooked
Beef Broth	2 cups	Liquid
Cream of Mushroom Soup	1 (10.75 oz) can	Unopened, used as is
Cheddar Cheese	1 cup	Shredded
Salt	\u00bd teaspoon	Measure accurately
Black Pepper	\u00bd teaspoon	Freshly ground is best
Paprika	\u00bd teaspoon	For color and depth
Fresh Parsley	\u00bc cup	Chopped, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Okay, deep breath! This is where the magic happens, and I promise, it’s so easy you’ll wonder why you haven’t made this Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole every night this week. The key here is layering the flavor right from the start. We build the base on the stovetop, and then the oven does the heavy lifting to cook that rice perfectly.

Initial Setup and Browning the Beef Base

First things first: get that oven preheated to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C). While it warms up, grab your 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a good greasing. I like to use cooking spray or a smear of butter—just make sure nothing sticks later!

Next, head over to your large skillet. Get that ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic in there over medium heat. You need to cook this mixture until the beef is totally browned and the onions are soft and translucent. This step is important for flavor, so don’t rush it! Once it looks good, you absolutely have to drain off any excess fat. Soggy casserole is no good, so tilt that pan and use a spoon to scoop out the grease. We want savory, not greasy!

Simmering and Flavor Integration

Now we start building the sauce that will cook our rice! With the meat mixture still in the skillet, stir in your uncooked rice—yes, uncooked! Follow that up with the two cups of beef broth and the entire can of cream of mushroom soup. Don’t forget the seasonings: half a teaspoon each of salt and pepper, plus that little bit of paprika for color and depth.

Stir everything really well until it’s combined. Bring this whole mixture up to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it starts bubbling happily, immediately reduce the heat way down low. We need to let it simmer gently for exactly 5 minutes. This isn’t meant to cook the rice fully; it just starts the process and lets the flavors marry wonderfully. After 5 minutes, take it off the heat.

Baking and Achieving That Perfect Cheesy Topping

Carefully transfer that beautifully seasoned, slightly soupy mixture from the skillet right into your greased 9×13 dish. Spread it out evenly—no big clumps allowed! Cover the whole dish tightly with aluminum foil. This traps the steam and is what cooks the rice through without drying out the top.

Pop it into your preheated oven and let it bake, covered, for 25 minutes. When that time is up, pull it out—careful, it’s hot! Take the foil off completely. Now for the best part: sprinkle that full cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return the uncovered Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for the cheese to be totally melted, gooey, and maybe just starting to get those lovely golden brown spots. Let it rest for five minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley and serving!

Tips for Making the Best Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

While this Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole is designed to be foolproof, a few little tweaks can elevate it from good to absolutely unforgettable. I’ve made this dish countless times, and I’ve learned that sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference in comfort food.

If you want a richer flavor base, try sautéing your onion and garlic in a tablespoon of butter instead of just relying on the fat from the beef—it adds a nutty depth that’s fantastic. Another pro tip for that creamy texture: make sure you stir that mushroom soup in thoroughly before you add the rice; any lumps will stay lumpy, and we want smooth creaminess throughout our Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole. If you are looking for other great comfort food ideas, check out my main dishes collection.

For those who like a little kick, don’t be shy with the spice notes! A dash of Worcestershire sauce mixed in with the broth adds a savory, slightly tangy backbone. And please, don’t skip the resting time after it comes out of the oven. Those 5 minutes let the liquids settle, ensuring that when you scoop out your portion of Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole, it holds together nicely instead of slumping into soup.

Storing and Reheating Your Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

One of the best things about making a big batch of Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole is knowing you have easy lunches or dinners set aside for later in the week. This recipe holds up beautifully, which is why it’s such a family favorite around here!

Storage Guidelines and Freezer Prep

Once the casserole has cooled down a bit, cover the leftovers tightly in an airtight container. You can keep it safely in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you know you won’t get to it within those three days, you can absolutely freeze portions! Wrap individual servings well or place the whole leftover casserole into a freezer-safe container. It keeps great in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure it’s sealed tight to avoid any freezer burn.

Reheating Methods for Leftovers

Reheating is super simple. For a quick fix, microwave a single serving until it’s piping hot all the way through—usually about 90 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on your microwave’s power. If you have a larger portion or you prefer that fresh-from-the-oven texture, cover the dish loosely with foil and pop it back into a 350\u00b0F oven until heated through. The foil keeps the cheese from burning before the center is warm.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

I get so many questions about this dish, and honestly, that just proves how much everyone loves a good, hearty bake! If you’re wondering about substitutions or how to make it spicier, I’ve gathered the most common things people ask me about this Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole.

Q1. Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in this casserole?
You certainly can try, but you’ll need to adjust your liquid and cooking time significantly. Brown rice takes much longer to cook, so you’d likely need closer to 4 cups of broth and an extra 20 to 30 minutes of baking time under the foil. I stick to long-grain white rice because it cooks perfectly in that initial 25-minute covered bake. For more information on different types of rice, you can check out resources on USA Rice.

Q2. How can I make this Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole extra cheesy?
Oh, I love this attitude! If you want more cheese, increase the cheddar to 1.5 cups, or try mixing in half a cup of Monterey Jack with the cheddar for extra meltiness. You can even sprinkle a little Parmesan over the top along with the cheddar for a sharper flavor.

Q3. My ground beef was really lean. Will that affect the casserole?
If you use very lean beef, you might notice the mixture seems a little dry after the initial browning. That’s why draining the fat is important, but if you have almost no fat to drain, I suggest adding one tablespoon of butter or olive oil when you sauté the onions, just to give the base a little richness.

Q4. Can I add extra vegetables to this Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole?
Absolutely! This is a great base for sneaking in veggies. Sauté diced carrots or frozen peas along with the onion and beef. Just make sure that if you use frozen veggies, you don’t add any extra water, as they release moisture while cooking. If you are looking for more ways to sneak veggies into meals, you might enjoy my recipe for veggie-packed tacos.

Nutritional Estimates for Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Since this is a hearty comfort meal, I always tell folks to enjoy every bite! While I always aim for balanced meals, exact nutritional counts can vary based on the specific brand of soup or the fat content of your ground beef. The numbers below are a good general estimate for one serving of this delicious Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole. Remember, this is just an estimate, so treat it as a guideline!

Nutritional Information Table

Nutrient	Amount (Estimate)
Calories	450
Fat	25g
Protein	28g
Carbohydrates	30g
Sugar	3g

Let me know in the comments how this Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole turned out for your family, and don’t forget to give it a star rating so others can see how much we love it!