Description
Cheesy hamburger rice casserole is a comforting one‑dish meal combining seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese. It’s ideal for an easy, hearty dinner using pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 can (14½ oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste or 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican‑blend)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika or chili powder (optional)
- Chopped parsley or green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned; drain excess fat.
- Add chopped onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste (or ketchup), beef broth, rice, and seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika or chili powder if using). Simmer for a few minutes to blend flavors.
- Stir in about half of the shredded cheese.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, and bake for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- To boost vegetables, add frozen peas or corn when mixing the rice stage.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
- Give it a Tex‑Mex twist by using taco seasoning instead of plain spices, and topping with jalapeños.
- If you’d like more texture, mix in sliced zucchini or mushrooms.
- Let leftovers cool slightly and cover tightly for storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
