Today, I’m bringing you a true family dinner hero—the kind of dish that disappears fast and leaves everyone feeling perfectly satisfied. This Hamburger Rice Casserole is the definition of comfort food: it’s hearty, wonderfully savory, and requires minimal fuss. It combines perfectly seasoned ground beef with fluffy rice, sweet veggies, and a blanket of melty cheddar cheese, all baked together in one dish. It’s a total game-changer for busy weeknights, and trust me, this one will be on repeat in your rotation!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s rich, cheesy, and packed with classic, satisfying flavors that feel like a warm hug in a bowl.
One-Pan Simplicity: Everything—the meat, the rice, and the sauce—comes together in one baking dish. Less cleanup means more time relaxing!
Ready in Under an Hour: With just 10 minutes of prep, you can pop this in the oven and have a complete, home-cooked meal ready for the family fast.
Total Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe is simple, delicious, and doesn’t involve any tricky ingredients, making it a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

All you need for this Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole, plus a baking dish and about an hour of your time! Yes, it really is that easy. Before you get started, gather up these must-haves:

Ground Beef: The hearty protein backbone of the casserole. We’re browning this until it’s perfectly crumbled and seasoned.
Uncooked Long-Grain Rice: This starches up and absorbs all that beautiful, savory liquid as it bakes, making the casserole wonderfully thick and creamy.
Beef Broth: This is key! It’s the flavorful liquid that cooks the rice and infuses every spoonful with rich, deep, beefy flavor.
Small Onion & Garlic: The essential aromatic base! These get sautéed in olive oil to build the foundation of our savory taste.
Tomato Sauce: Adds a lovely tang and a hint of sweetness, giving the sauce that classic, rich body we crave.
Paprika, Dried Oregano, Salt, and Pepper: This seasoning blend is magic—it gives the beef a cozy, familiar flavor that really makes the dish shine.
Sour Cream: Added at the end for an instant creamy swirl! It makes the texture luscious and adds a slight, pleasant tang.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Because a casserole isn’t a casserole without a golden, melty, cheesy cap!
Frozen Peas and Carrots: Your pop of color, texture, and easy veggie goodness! No chopping required, which is always a win.
Chopped Green Onions (Optional): A fresh, sharp garnish at the end to add brightness and a little visual flair.

Note: The exact measurements for all of these wonderful ingredients, along with the full, printable instructions, will be available for you right under this article in the recipe card!

How to Make the Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Sauté Aromatics

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Don’t forget to lightly grease your favorite baking dish—we want this casserole to slide out smoothly! In a large skillet over medium heat, warm up your olive oil, then add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté them for about 2 minutes until they’re fragrant and slightly softened. You can practically smell dinner starting already!

Step 2: Brown the Beef and Season

Add your ground beef to the skillet. Cook it until it’s fully browned, making sure to break it up with a spoon so you don’t have any big chunks. Once it’s cooked, drain off any excess fat. Now, sprinkle in the salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Give it a good stir to coat the beef in all those gorgeous spices.

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce Base

Stir in the tomato sauce and let it simmer with the beef mixture for just 2 minutes. This brief simmer time allows the tomato sauce to deepen in flavor and marry with the spices and beef.

Step 4: Add Rice and Broth

Now, stir in the uncooked rice, the frozen peas and carrots, and the beef broth. Mix everything well so the rice is evenly distributed and submerged in the liquid.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Transfer this whole delicious mixture into your prepared baking dish. Cover it tightly with aluminum foil. This is crucial for trapping the steam that cooks the rice! Pop it into the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the rice is perfectly tender and all the lovely liquid has been absorbed.

Step 6: Stir and Melt the Cheese

Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Take off the foil and gently stir in the sour cream until everything is creamy and luscious. Then, sprinkle that gorgeous cheddar cheese right over the top. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered this time, for just 5–7 minutes, or until that cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve!

Let it cool for a moment. If you’re using them, sprinkle on those fresh chopped green onions for a bright pop of color and flavor. Scoop generous portions and enjoy the ultimate comfort dinner!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Peek! When the casserole is baking with the foil on (Step 6), resist the urge to peek! The steam trapped inside is what cooks the rice. Lifting the foil releases that heat and can result in crunchy, uncooked rice.
The Power of Broth: If you don’t have beef broth, chicken broth will work in a pinch, but the beef broth truly gives this dish its signature, deep savory character. It’s worth grabbing if you can!
A Creamy Alternative: For an even richer, tangier flavor, you can swap out the sour cream for an equal amount of softened cream cheese or even plain Greek yogurt.
Adjusting the Seasoning: Always taste the beef mixture before adding the rice and broth. If you feel it needs a little more “oomph,” feel free to bump up the oregano or add a dash of garlic powder!

How to Serve

This casserole is fantastic because it’s a complete meal all on its own, but you can definitely jazz up your serving presentation and pairings:

Fresh Garnishes: Always finish with a garnish! Chopped green onions or fresh parsley add a vibrant green color and a nice, fresh bite that cuts through the richness of the cheese.
A Simple Salad: Pair the casserole with a light, crisp side salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette. The brightness of the salad is a perfect counterpoint to the casserole’s richness.
Crusty Bread: Serve with a side of warm, crusty bread or garlic toast to help scoop up every last bit of that savory, cheesy goodness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover casserole in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep beautifully for up to 3 days. (Honestly, it tastes even better the next day!)

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze this! Allow the casserole to cool completely. Transfer it to a freezer-safe, airtight container, or wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. If reheating the whole casserole, cover it loosely with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. If it looks a little dry, add a splash of beef broth before heating!

FAQs

1. Can I use a different kind of rice in this casserole?

While long-grain white rice is recommended because it cooks up beautifully and absorbs the liquid perfectly, you can technically use other types. However, please note that using brown rice or specialty rice will significantly increase the required baking time and the amount of liquid needed. If you substitute, you will need to adjust your liquid ratios and baking time accordingly, so stick to long-grain white rice for the simplest results!

2. How can I add a bit more heat or spice to this recipe?

If you’re craving a little kick, that is an easy fix! You can stir in about a quarter to half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the other spices in Step 3. Alternatively, a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce mixed into the beef and tomato sauce, or a pinch of cayenne pepper, will definitely turn up the heat!

3. What can I substitute for the ground beef if I want a lighter option?

If you’re looking to swap out the ground beef, both ground turkey or ground chicken are fantastic, lighter alternatives that work perfectly in this casserole. Just be sure to season them generously, as they are naturally milder in flavor than beef. You can also make this vegetarian by omitting the meat entirely and using a plant-based ground substitute or adding more vegetables like mushrooms or lentils.

4. My rice is still crunchy after the recommended baking time. What should I do?

Don’t panic! Crunchy rice usually means the liquid wasn’t fully absorbed or evaporated too quickly. Simply add about half a cup of extra beef broth to the casserole, cover it tightly with the foil again, and return it to the oven for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. This should give the rice the steam and liquid it needs to finish cooking until it’s perfectly tender.