Description
Hearty hamburger & rice casserole delivers comfort straight from midwest kitchens, blending savory ground beef with fluffy rice in a creamy, cheesy embrace. Quick weeknight dinners welcome this satisfying classic that brings families together around one delicious, golden-brown dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef
Dairy:
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Staple Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 (15 oz / 425 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) beef broth
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Warm up the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Sauté ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, crumbling the meat as it cooks until it turns completely brown, then drain any excess fat.
- Enhance the beef with aromatic onions, garlic powder, oregano, and paprika, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, uncooked rice, beef broth, salt, and pepper to the skillet, stirring to combine and allowing the mixture to reach a gentle simmer.
- Carefully transfer the entire beef and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, allowing the rice to become tender and absorb the flavorful liquid.
- Remove the foil and generously scatter shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the top of the casserole.
- Return the dish to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, monitoring until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Finish by sprinkling fresh parsley over the casserole and serve while still warm, offering a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Optimize rice texture by using long-grain rice, which prevents mushiness and provides better separation during cooking.
- Customize protein options by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for dietary preferences.
- Enhance flavor complexity by sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil before adding ground meat, which develops deeper caramelized undertones.
- Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium beef broth and controlling salt amounts, making the casserole more heart-healthy without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 392
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 558 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 77 mg