Cheesy Hamburger and Rice Casserole

Cheesy hamburger and rice casserole recipe that is easy to throw together. With a Mexican ground beef hotdish flare and tons of flavor even kids will love this. If yo loved our Crockpot hamburger casserole you’ll love this tweak.

Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

I guess these two terms are synonymous for me. We buy beef in bulk from local farmers at the beginning of each year. Half of it I take in this form because we use it so often. I mean tacos are a given but browned gives you so many possibilities folded into your favorite starch, you can even add a can of beans or veggies into this too.

Last year we made a really popular ground beef casserole with potatoes recipe and have been creating ever since then. I don’t share everything I create just because it either needs more tweaking, or I’m just not in the mood to photograph. This time I thought why not, and it came out so good it was worth a share for sure.

Hamburger Rice Casserole

Ok so you are going to first want to get your Instant Pot white rice or you can make Ninja Foodi rice while you’re making the other half. If you’re done sauteeing your meat mixture then just turn the burner off and let it sit. Then once it’s fluffy done you can gently fold everything together.

Preheat your oven while you’re at it too so all 3 things can be prepped at the same time. I used this 9×13″ casserole dish for this and it fit just fine. Spray some non stick spray in it first so it’s an easier cleanup later.

1. Pound of hamburger meat, you could use spicy ground sausage too or half and half if you wanted to.
   1. or use leftover ground beef from the day before, if let’s say you made grilled frozen burgers and didn’t eat them all
2. Salsa will add a lot of flavor, medium or spicy is best.
3. Can of diced chiles are great
4. Uncooked white rice that needs to be cooked before adding
   1. I haven’t tested this with brown rice yet
   2. Would not recommend minute rice just because it will break down and become mushier
   3. Jasmine rice in Instant Pot is usually what I use
5. Diced onion
6. Minced garlic
7. Taco seasoning
8. Lots of seasonings of your choice, or use what I suggest below
   1. could add chili powder for a bit of heat
9. Cheddar cheese is a must for us but could be omitted

Ok now there is another option too for this hamburger rice hotdish. If you want it creamy you can gently fold in sour cream or room temperature sliced cream cheese before pouring it into your dish to bake.

Hamburger Rice Corn Casserole

If you wanted to add vegetables into the mix you could easily drain a can of sweet corn kernels and fold that into the mix. Do so before you bake in your dish so it can soften a bit more and integrate into the overall dish. Not only will it add taste but a bit of texture too if you don’t want soft on soft.

Once the meat is browned for the most part and onions have slightly softened you’re ready to add your cooked rice. Be gentle from this point on or things will get mushy. If you want to add creaminess you can after everything else is combined.

Hamburger Rice HotDish

I do add half of the cheese into the mixture and half of it on top. You are only baking it to melt the top. If you would rather just skip that step completely you totally could.

Just follow the same recipe below and skip that step. Serve right out of the pot with some added cheese right on the top. It will melt as it sits.

Ground Beef Casserole

With us the more cheese the better. Maybe it is the German in me but I haven’t found a meal I don’t like it on top of. Okay maybe fish would be a no, but I could get behind some parmesan even for something like that. I load it on with our Instant Pot taco pasta which is fabulous too.

• In a large skillet over medium high heat add olive oil unti hot. Then add diced onion and ground beef. Cook until there is just a little bit of pink left on meat.
• Add all other ingredients EXCEPT the cheese and sour cream. Cook for about 2 minutes and stir together.
• Then fold in 1 c of cheese (and sour cream, softened cream cheese or can of cream of mushroom soup if you want it creamy).

If you want to bake it vs. serving right out of the pot; spray 9×13″ casserole baking dish with non stick spray. Dump casserole mix inside. Smooth so it is even in the pan and the same thickness all the way across the dish.

Sprinkle remaining cheese on top, I don’t even really measure I just make sure the whole thing is covered well. Put into oven at 350 degrees F for 10 – 15 minutes cooking time, just so cheese melts and middle is warmed.

Have an additional 1/2 cup of cheese on the side to add to the top when serving too. I know…we are obsessed with the stuff. This is a super easy dinner idea that takes 20 minutes to 30 from start to finish really. If you don’t bake it it’s even faster.

Minute Rice Hamburger Casserole

Want to make things easier? Microwave instant rice instead of using your IP or rice cooker. I don’t think it has the right texture myself but some swear by it so use whatever style you prefer.

• I typically use Jasmine but long grain works too. I haven’t used brown but that would be fine as well.
• Like our slow cooker version you could easily boil elbow macaroni instead of this grain and swap that out which would transform it into a whole new meal.

If you have leftovers store them in an airtight container. When reheating add a splash of chicken broth or beef broth on top and microwave for about 1 minute to heat. It will become moist again with the added liquid on top.

Want to make this even faster?? Try our Instant Pot hamburger casserole recipe right here. The same basic ingredients but using pressure it is more of a throw it all in and go kinda’ meal. You don’t have to nurse it on the stove the whole time and tastes very similar to this one.

Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole

If you wanted to change it up a bit and make this in your slow cooker but with pasta noodles instead we have made that one also. I told you we have a lot of this ground meat so more options are better when you are meal planning for the week for a family.

This is kinda’ like cheeseburger helper but swapping out the noodles for rice and homemade which is always way better than from a box. I mean you know that is always the truth. Now that you have all the options, take your pick.

Want to try it in a pot, oven baked, low and slow or quick in your pressure cooker instead. They have all become family favorites in my house, especially with kids. Even my husband who is a “my food can’t touch” person has gained an appreciation for this cheesy goodness in a bowl.

If you have leftovers, throw it into our air fryer zucchini boats with more cheese on top and reheat the next day! These add a bunch of veggies on the outside as a holder of sorts. You can fill them with all sorts of things but this makes a great next day meal for sure that warms up quite well in the oven or Foodi.