Are you on the hunt for the ultimate one-pot weeknight wonder? A hearty, cheesy, and completely satisfying comfort food casserole that the whole family will go crazy for, with the easiest cleanup imaginable? This incredible, from-scratch-tasting Hamburger Rice Casserole is that perfect meal! We’re talking savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and a rainbow of veggies, all simmered together in a rich, smoky tomato sauce and finished with a glorious, gooey blanket of melted cheese.
This isn’t just another casserole recipe; it’s your new go-to for a delicious, “dump and bake” style meal that tastes like it took hours to prepare. We’ll show you how to use the magic of the one-pot method to create a stunning, flavorful, and completely stress-free dinner that is perfect for busy nights.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate One-Pot Weeknight Wonder
What makes this Hamburger Rice Casserole so spectacularly delicious is its incredible, deep flavor and its brilliantly simple one-pot preparation. This recipe is a masterpiece of efficiency, combining all the flavors of a stuffed pepper casserole or a cheesy taco rice skillet into one easy dish. The flavor foundation is built by browning savory ground beef with a colorful medley of onions and bell peppers. The true magic, however, is in the cooking method. The uncooked rice is simmered directly in a savory liquid of chicken broth and crushed tomatoes along with all the other ingredients. As the rice cooks, it absorbs all the delicious flavors and its starches naturally thicken the sauce into a luscious, hearty meal.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 45 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 6-8 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Family-Friendly Casserole
This iconic dish uses a handful of smart shortcuts and high-quality pantry staples to create its signature comforting and cheesy flavor.
- The One-Pot Method (The Secret to Flavor & Ease!):
- Uncooked Rice: A classic, long-grain white rice like jasmine is the perfect choice. The key to this recipe’s incredible flavor and creamy texture is that the rice is cooked directly in the flavorful sauce. It absorbs all the savory notes from the beef, broth, and tomatoes, and its starches naturally thicken the sauce.
- The Flavor Base:
- Lean Ground Beef: For the best, most flavorful result without making the final dish too greasy, it is highly recommended to use a lean 85/15 ground beef.
- The Spices: A classic, warm, and perfectly balanced Tex-Mex style spice blend of smoky chili powder, earthy cumin, and a rich paprika gives the filling a wonderful, savory depth.
- The Cheesy Finish: A generous amount of a shredded Mexican cheese blend or a classic sharp cheddar is the perfect, gooey topping. This recipe cleverly uses some of the cheese mixed into the casserole for extra creaminess, and the rest on top for that beautiful, golden-brown crust.
Step-by-Step to the Best Hamburger Rice Casserole
This delicious, one-pot meal is incredibly simple to prepare.
Step 1: Build the Flavor Base
In a large skillet or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid, heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil over a medium heat. Add your 1 diced small red onion and sauté for about 5 minutes.
Add the 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and the 1 pound of ground beef. Cook until the beef is browned, using a wooden spoon to break the meat into crumbles as it cooks.
Add in your diced red and green bell peppers and continue to sauté for about 3 to 4 minutes.
Part 2: The One-Pot Simmer
Step 1: Add your 1 1/4 cups of uncooked jasmine rice and all your spices (cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, and salt) to the skillet. Stir and cook for about 1 minute, until the rice is lightly toasted and the spices are very fragrant.
Step 2: Add the 2 1/2 cups of chicken broth, the 1 can of crushed tomatoes, the 1 cup of frozen corn, the 1 can of drained and rinsed black beans, and 1/2 cup of your shredded cheese.
Step 3: Bring the entire mixture to a low boil.
Step 4: Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring it halfway through. It is important to keep the heat low so that the rice can cook fully and absorb the liquid without the bottom scorching.
Part 3: The Cheesy Finish
Step 1: Once the rice is cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid, stir in your 1 1/2 cups of chopped spinach until it has wilted.Step 2: Top the casserole with the rest of your shredded cheese. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes, until the cheese has completely melted.
Garnish the finished casserole with some fresh, chopped cilantro and serve immediately.
Hamburger and Rice Casserole (Easy Recipe!)
An easy, one-pan ‘Hamburger Rice Casserole’ with Southwestern flavors, perfect for a weeknight dinner. This hearty dish is made by browning ground beef with onions, garlic, and bell peppers in a large skillet. Uncooked jasmine rice is then added directly to the skillet, along with a blend of spices, chicken broth, and crushed tomatoes. The entire mixture is simmered until the rice is tender. Corn, black beans, and fresh spinach are stirred in at the end, and the casserole is finished with a layer of melted Mexican cheese blend.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 1 1/4 cup uncooked jasmine rice
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups chopped spinach
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced red onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft.
- Add the minced garlic and ground beef. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Add the diced bell peppers and sauté for another 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the uncooked rice, cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, and salt.
- Pour in the chicken broth and crushed tomatoes. Add the frozen corn, black beans, and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese. Stir everything together.
- Bring the mixture to a low boil. Once boiling, cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the rice is cooked.
- Once the rice is tender, turn off the heat and stir in the chopped spinach until it wilts.
- Top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of cheese, cover the skillet, and let it stand for 1-2 minutes until the cheese has melted.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- This is a true one-pan meal where the uncooked rice cooks directly in the skillet with the other ingredients, making for very easy cleanup.
- It is important to keep the heat low during the simmering step to ensure the rice cooks fully and evenly without scorching on the bottom.
- The cheese on top is melted using the residual heat of the dish after it has been removed from the stove.
What to Serve With Your Casserole
This beautiful and rich dish is a fantastic, all-in-one meal that has your protein, your starch, and your vegetables all in one skillet! If you’d like to round it out, here are a few simple suggestions:
- Classic Toppings: A dollop of cool and tangy sour cream, some fresh, diced avocado, or a sprinkle of sliced jalapeños are all fantastic additions.
- A Simple Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a bright and zesty vinaigrette is the perfect, fresh counterpoint to the rich, cheesy casserole.
- Tortilla Chips: A side of crunchy tortilla chips is always a great choice for scooping up every last delicious bite.
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Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This Hamburger Rice Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead and freezer-friendly meal.
- Make-Ahead: You can fully assemble the entire, unbaked casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Simply cover it tightly with foil and store it in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the total baking time.
- Storage: Store any leftovers, well-covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes beautifully! You can freeze it either before or after baking. Let it cool completely, then wrap the pan very well in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute, number one secret to a one-pot rice casserole that isn’t mushy?
The secret is to use the correct ratio of liquid to rice and to not overcook it. A long-grain white rice like jasmine typically requires a 1-to-2 ratio of rice to liquid. This recipe uses slightly less liquid because the vegetables will also release some moisture, which is a clever trick to prevent a mushy result. It’s also crucial to simmer it over a low heat so the rice can gently absorb the liquid.
Q2: Can I make this casserole ahead of time and freeze it?
Yes, this is a perfect freezer meal! The best method is to assemble the entire unbaked casserole in a freezer-safe baking dish. Then, you can wrap the dish very well in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. When you are ready to eat, you can bake it directly from frozen, just be sure to cover it with foil for the first 45-50 minutes and then uncover it for the final 15 minutes.
Q3: Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in this recipe?
You can, but you will need to adjust the cooking time and the amount of liquid significantly. Brown rice typically takes much longer to cook (around 40-45 minutes) and requires more liquid than white rice. You will likely need to add about an extra 1/2 to 1 cup of broth and increase the simmering time accordingly.
Q4: Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker or an Instant Pot?
Yes! To make it in a slow cooker, simply brown your beef and sauté your aromatics on the stovetop first. Then, transfer this mixture and all the other ingredients (except for the spinach and the final cheese topping) to your slow cooker and cook on Low for 3-4 hours. Stir in the spinach and top with cheese at the end. For the Instant Pot, use the “Sauté” function to cook your beef and vegetables. Then, add all the other ingredients, secure the lid, and pressure cook on High for 6 minutes. Perform a quick release, and then stir in the spinach and top with cheese.
Q5: Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Of course! To make a delicious and hearty vegetarian casserole, simply omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth. To make up for the bulk and protein, you can add an extra can of your favorite beans, like pinto or kidney beans, and some sautéed mushrooms.