Description
Hearty hamburger rice casserole delivers comfort on a plate, blending savory ground beef with fluffy rice in a creamy, cheesy embrace. Satisfying weeknight dinner comes together quickly, promising smiles around the family table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Starches and Base:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 onion, chopped
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquid and Creamy Components:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups water
Cheese Topping:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C), preparing for a hearty casserole preparation.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onions over medium heat, ensuring meat is fully cooked and onions become translucent.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture to reduce unnecessary greasiness.
- Incorporate uncooked rice, both cream soups, water, and seasonings into the skillet, stirring thoroughly to create a uniform mixture.
- Carefully transfer the combined ingredients to a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly across the surface.
- Cover the dish completely with aluminum foil to trap moisture during cooking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, allowing rice to absorb liquid and become tender.
- Remove foil after initial cooking time and distribute shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes, or until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from oven to allow flavors to settle and ease serving.
Notes
- Customize the meat by using ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish light and nutritious.
- Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or frozen mixed vegetables to boost nutritional value and create more texture in the casserole.
- Choose low-sodium soups to control salt content and make the recipe more heart-healthy for those watching their sodium intake.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or monterey jack to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 498
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg