Classic Creamy Hamburger Rice Casserole: An Easy Family-Favorite Dinner

There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty casserole to bring the family together, and this cozy, creamy hamburger rice casserole is no exception. It’s a true Midwest classic that combines juicy ground beef, tender rice, and a medley of vegetables, all simmered in a rich cream of mushroom sauce. This incredibly easy dinner is a cherished recipe passed down through generations, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights when you crave comforting, homemade goodness without the fuss.

Growing up, this filling casserole was a staple at our dinner table, and its timeless appeal means it continues to be a go-to meal for my own family today. It’s the kind of dish that satisfies everyone, delivering deep savory flavors and a wonderfully satisfying texture. For those who love nostalgic ground beef recipes, you might also enjoy my homemade Hamburger Helper or this old-fashioned American goulash.

This hamburger rice casserole recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a wholesome, nostalgic journey to simpler times. It’s a true one-pan wonder that effortlessly combines savory ground beef, vibrant vegetables, a rich cream of mushroom soup, and perfectly cooked, fluffy rice. My mom prepared this easy hamburger casserole often, and her mom did too, cementing its place as a beloved family tradition. I’m quite certain the original recipe likely traces its roots back to the 1970s, a testament to its enduring appeal. It has truly stood the test of time, proving itself as a reliable, delicious option that the entire family consistently enjoys on any busy weeknight.

Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Casserole Recipe

• Effortless One-Pan Cooking: Say goodbye to a pile of dirty dishes! Almost everything for this comforting casserole cooks in a single large skillet before it’s transferred to a baking dish. This makes it not only a complete, all-in-one meal but also guarantees an extra quick and easy cleanup. It offers all the convenience you’d find in my beef noodle casserole, but with a satisfying rice base.
• Deep, Savory Comfort Flavors: There’s an undeniable charm and delicious retro appeal to a casserole made with cream of mushroom soup. This ingredient acts as a fantastic shortcut, creating a rich, creamy sauce that infuses every grain of rice and piece of beef with incredible flavor. The rice beautifully absorbs all the savory notes from the beef, the condensed soup, and the tender vegetables, resulting in a dish that is both deeply comforting and incredibly satisfying.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This ground beef and rice casserole is an excellent choice for making ahead, as it stores wonderfully in both the refrigerator and the freezer. For those weeks when life gets exceptionally hectic, preparing a batch of this casserole means you can cook once and then enjoy delicious, ready-to-eat leftovers for several days. It’s convenience and comfort rolled into one dish.
• Budget-Friendly: Made with readily available and inexpensive ingredients like ground beef, rice, and canned soup, this casserole is a fantastic economical option that feeds a crowd without breaking the bank.
• Customizable and Versatile: This recipe serves as a perfect canvas for customization. You can easily adapt it by adding different vegetables, swapping out the type of meat, or even incorporating cheese for an extra layer of flavor. It’s a versatile dish that caters to various tastes and dietary preferences with simple adjustments.

Essential Ingredients You’ll Need

While my grandma traditionally made this casserole with water, I’ve found that swapping it for beef broth significantly boosts the flavor profile, adding a richer, more profound taste. I also adore sprinkling crispy chow mein noodles on top just before serving for that wonderful, extra retro touch and a delightful textural contrast! Below, you’ll find some more detailed notes on the ingredients needed for this comforting dish. Remember to scroll down to the recipe card for a complete, printable list with precise measurements and full recipe details.

• Ground Beef: I typically opt for lean ground beef, as it minimizes excess grease, making for a healthier and less oily casserole. However, this recipe is incredibly versatile and works beautifully with any ground meat you prefer. Feel free to use ground chicken, pork, or turkey for a different flavor or lighter option.
• Onion and Celery: These aromatic vegetables, finely chopped, form the essential flavor base of the casserole. They soften beautifully during cooking, lending a subtle sweetness and earthy depth. For added nutrients and flavor, you can also incorporate other diced vegetables such as carrots, minced garlic for a pungent kick, or bell peppers for a touch of color and crunch. See the “Recipe Tips and Variations” section further down for more vegetable ideas!
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: This is the secret ingredient that gives the casserole its signature creamy texture and savory, umami-rich flavor. I use canned condensed cream of mushroom soup for convenience, but this recipe is highly adaptable and will work wonderfully with any cream-based soup. Consider using homemade cream of chicken soup for an extra layer of flavor, or even cream of celery or broccoli for a different twist.
• Soy Sauce: A dash of soy sauce is crucial for adding a significant boost of umami to the dish, enhancing the overall savory profile. If you don’t have soy sauce on hand, Worcestershire sauce makes an excellent substitute, offering a similar depth of flavor.
• Rice: My preferred choice for this hamburger casserole is long-grain white rice, which cooks up fluffy and absorbs the flavors beautifully. Most types of rice will work well here, except for instant rice, which tends to get mushy. If you opt for brown rice, be aware that it will require a slightly longer cooking time to become tender.
• Beef Broth: As mentioned, I prefer beef broth over water for cooking the rice, as it imparts a richer, deeper flavor to the entire casserole. If beef broth isn’t available, water will still work, but the broth truly elevates the taste.
• Chow Mein Noodles: These are an optional, yet highly recommended, garnish that adds a fantastic crunchy texture and a delightful retro flair to each serving. Alternatively, you could use toasted breadcrumbs for a different kind of crunch, or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a burst of color and herbaceous freshness.

How to Make Hamburger Rice Casserole

This incredibly satisfying hamburger and rice casserole comes together with surprising ease, requiring just a few straightforward steps. It’s designed to be simple, even for novice cooks, ensuring a delicious meal with minimal effort. For detailed, printable instructions, be sure to scroll down to the full recipe card at the bottom of this page.

• Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics and Beef. Begin by preheating your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion to the skillet. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon and cook for about 5-6 minutes, or until the onions have softened and the ground beef is mostly browned. Next, incorporate the chopped celery and continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked through. This initial sautéing step builds the foundational flavors for your casserole. Remember to drain off any excess grease from the pan to prevent the casserole from becoming oily.
• Step 2: Combine the Creamy Sauce and Rice. Once the beef and vegetables are cooked, stir in the cream of mushroom soup and a splash of soy sauce. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until everything is evenly combined and coated. This creates the rich, savory sauce for the casserole. Then, add your chosen rice to the skillet, stirring it in briefly before pouring in the cooking liquid – either beef broth for enhanced flavor or water if preferred.
• Step 3: Bake to Perfection. Now, carefully transfer the entire mixture from the skillet into a generously greased 3-quart casserole dish. Cover the dish tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Place the casserole in your preheated oven at 350ºF (175ºC) and bake for approximately 1 hour. The casserole is ready when the rice is cooked through, tender, and has absorbed most of the liquid, resulting in a perfectly fluffy and creamy consistency.
• Step 4: Serve and Enjoy! Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. For an added layer of texture and a classic touch, generously top individual servings with crispy chow mein noodles. You can also offer an extra drizzle of soy sauce on the side for those who enjoy a bit more savory depth. See the section below for even more delightful serving ideas!

Recipe Tips and Delicious Variations

• Always Drain Excess Grease: This is a crucial step for achieving the best texture and flavor. After you’ve browned the ground beef and sautéed the vegetables, make sure to thoroughly drain off any excess fat or grease from the pan before you introduce the soup and rice. This prevents the casserole from becoming greasy and heavy. Using lean ground beef also helps minimize the amount of fat needing to be drained.
• Avoid Over-Stirring the Rice: While it’s perfectly fine to gently stir the casserole once or twice during its baking time to check for doneness and ensure even cooking, try your best not to stir it too frequently. Excessive stirring can release too much starch from the rice, which might lead to a sticky or gummy texture in your finished casserole.
• How to Confirm Doneness: The hamburger rice casserole is fully cooked and ready to be enjoyed when the rice is completely cooked through and has achieved a tender, yet still firm, bite. All the liquid should be absorbed, and the casserole should look creamy and integrated.
• Experiment with Different Soups: This recipe is incredibly adaptable! Any creamy condensed soup will work wonderfully, whether it’s store-bought for convenience or homemade for an extra personal touch. Beyond cream of mushroom, feel free to swap it for cream of chicken soup for a poultry-inspired flavor, or cream of broccoli soup to sneak in more greens. For a truly unique and savory twist, you could even try a variation using canned or homemade French onion soup, which would add a caramelized, rich depth.
• Boost the Veggie Content: This casserole is an excellent vehicle for increasing your vegetable intake. Easily enhance the nutritional value and texture by stirring in additional diced vegetables. Consider adding sliced mushrooms, vibrant bell peppers, finely diced carrots, sweet corn kernels, frozen peas (added during the last 15-20 minutes of baking), or even fresh greens like spinach (stirred in at the very end until wilted).
• Add a Cheesy Twist: Transform this into a cheesy hamburger casserole by sprinkling a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or another favorite melty cheese over the top during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. For an even more indulgent, cheeseburger-inspired flavor, consider adding some chopped dill pickles directly into the mixture or serving them on the side.
• Make it Vegetarian: To create a delicious vegetarian version, simply omit the ground meat. You can replace it with a greater quantity of vegetables (as suggested above), or incorporate plant-based protein sources like black beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas. If using canned beans or chickpeas, remember to thoroughly drain and rinse them before adding them to the skillet.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: For those following a gluten-free diet, it’s easy to make this hamburger casserole suitable. Ensure you select certified gluten-free rice and swap out regular soy sauce for a gluten-free alternative or tamari. Always check the labels of your cream of mushroom soup, as some brands may contain gluten-containing ingredients.

What to Serve with Hamburger Rice Casserole

If you ask my family, this casserole is so complete and satisfying that all it truly needs is a generous topping of crunchy chow mein noodles! Hamburger and rice casserole is indeed a meal in itself, offering a balanced combination of protein, carbs, and vegetables. However, to round out the meal or to add a refreshing counterpoint to its richness, I often pair it with a simple tossed green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette. The crisp freshness of the salad provides a lovely contrast to the creamy casserole. Additionally, fluffy crescent rolls or homemade drop biscuits are fantastic alongside, perfect for soaking up any extra sauce. For a more vegetable-focused side, roasted vegetables like sweet and tender roasted carrots or flavorful roasted green beans with sesame and garlic complement the casserole beautifully. And to finish off a truly comforting meal, why not indulge in a slice of homemade strawberry pie?

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

One of the many benefits of this hamburger rice casserole is how well it stores and reheats, making it an ideal choice for meal prepping or enjoying delicious leftovers throughout the week.

• To Refrigerate: Allow the baked hamburger casserole to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Transfer it to an airtight container or cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Stored properly in the refrigerator, it will maintain its freshness and flavor for 3-4 days. This makes it a fantastic option for quick and easy lunches or dinners during busy weekdays.
• To Reheat: For reheating, you have a couple of convenient options. You can warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through, stirring occasionally to ensure even temperature distribution. Alternatively, for a larger portion or the entire casserole, place the covered dish in a 350ºF (175ºC) oven for about 20-30 minutes, or until it’s thoroughly warmed. If the casserole seems a bit dry, you can add a tablespoon or two of beef broth or water before reheating to restore its moisture.
• To Freeze: This hamburger rice casserole freezes exceptionally well, allowing you to prepare it far in advance. Once the casserole has fully cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe, airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it using the methods described above. This is an excellent way to have a comforting, homemade meal ready to go on short notice.

More Comforting Casserole Recipes

If you loved this hamburger rice casserole, you’re in for a treat! Casseroles are the ultimate comfort food, offering easy preparation and delicious results. Here are more fantastic casserole recipes that are sure to become family favorites:

• Sausage Breakfast Casserole
• Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole
• Hearty Burrito Casserole
• Classic Stuffed Pepper Casserole
• Easy Frito Pie

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