Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty cheesy hamburger rice casserole, blending ground beef, melted cheese, and fluffy rice into one satisfying dish. Families will savor each creamy, flavorful bite of this simple yet delicious midweek meal you can prepare quickly with minimal ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup rice
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
Aromatics:
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- In a large skillet, sauté ground beef with finely chopped onions and minced garlic until meat is thoroughly browned and onions are translucent.
- Incorporate cooked rice into the meat mixture, stirring carefully to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Pour beef broth and tomato sauce into the skillet, seasoning with salt, pepper, and paprika to enhance the flavor profile.
- Carefully transfer the combined mixture to a prepared casserole dish, ensuring an even distribution.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole, creating a complete cheese coverage.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for the cheese to melt completely and develop a golden, bubbly surface.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes, which helps the ingredients settle and makes serving easier.
- Serve warm, scooping out portions that showcase the melted cheese and hearty beef and rice combination.
Notes
- Customize protein by swapping ground beef with turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for different dietary needs.
- Create a low-carb version by replacing rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for fewer calories.
- Enhance nutrition by adding diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to boost vegetable content and flavor complexity.
- Prepare this dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, making meal prep easier for busy families.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg