Easy hamburger and rice recipes

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a homemade casserole that comes together with minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. This Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole is exactly that kind of dish – simple, hearty, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table without a fuss. If you’ve ever tried the popular “Stick of Butter Rice” recipe, you’ll recognize the rich, buttery foundation that makes this dish so irresistibly good.

What makes this casserole special is how basic pantry ingredients transform into something truly comforting. The hamburger adds protein, the rice soaks up all the savory flavors, and the French onion soup creates a depth of flavor that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen (when you really just spent minutes on prep).

What You’ll Need

This casserole relies on just a handful of ingredients that work together beautifully:

Ground Beef

The star protein in this dish is ground beef, which adds hearty flavor and satisfying texture. You can easily substitute ground turkey for a lighter option, or even ground chicken if you prefer. For a flavor twist, Italian sausage works wonderfully too – just remove it from the casings before browning.

Rice

Long-grain white rice is the perfect choice here, as it cooks up fluffy and separate rather than sticky. Jasmine rice adds a subtle aromatic quality, while basmati rice works beautifully too. I don’t recommend substituting brown rice in this recipe without adjusting the liquid and cooking time, as it requires different preparation.

French Onion Soup

The secret flavor booster in this recipe is condensed French onion soup. This ingredient adds incredible depth and a savory onion flavor that permeates every grain of rice. Look for it in the soup aisle of your grocery store – it comes in a can and provides both seasoning and moisture to the casserole.

Beef Consommé

Paired with the French onion soup, beef consommé creates a rich, flavorful cooking liquid for the rice. If you can’t find consommé, beef broth makes a good substitute, though it’s slightly less concentrated. In a pinch, beef bouillon dissolved in water works too – just add an extra pinch of salt to taste.

Butter

Don’t skimp on the butter! Cut a stick of butter into small pieces and dot them across the top of the casserole before baking. As it melts, the butter creates pockets of richness throughout the dish. This technique, borrowed from the famous “Stick of Butter Rice,” is what makes this casserole exceptionally delicious.

Perfect Pairings

This hamburger rice casserole is hearty enough to stand on its own, but here are some perfect sides to round out your meal:

• Roasted green beans with a sprinkle of garlic powder and parmesan
• Asparagus spears drizzled with olive oil and roasted until just tender
• Shredded Brussels sprouts sautéed with a touch of bacon
• Simple side salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness
• Homemade buttermilk biscuits for sopping up any extra sauce
• Easy dinner rolls warm from the oven

The beauty of this casserole is its versatility – it pairs well with almost any vegetable side dish, making it easy to use whatever produce you have on hand.

Storing Leftovers

One of the best things about casseroles is that they often taste even better the next day! Store any leftover hamburger rice casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a tablespoon of water or broth to prevent the rice from drying out, and cover with a damp paper towel before microwaving.

This casserole also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. For best results, cool the casserole completely before transferring portions to freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or reheat straight from frozen by adding extra time and a splash of liquid.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Essential Ingredients for Hamburger and Rice Recipes

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed French onion soup
• 1 can (10.5 oz) beef consommé
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. Spread the uncooked rice evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
4. Sprinkle the browned ground beef over the rice layer.
5. In a bowl, combine the condensed French onion soup and beef consommé, stirring well. Pour this mixture evenly over the beef and rice.
6. Sprinkle with garlic powder and black pepper.
7. Cut the butter into small pieces and distribute them evenly across the top of the casserole.
8. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This is important to trap the steam and properly cook the rice.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
10. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Pro Tips

• Don’t skip the step of covering the casserole with foil – this ensures the rice cooks properly.
• For extra flavor, add 1/2 cup of diced bell peppers or 1 cup of sliced mushrooms when browning the ground beef.
• Feeling cheesy? Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking.
• For a spicier version, add a diced jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce to the soup mixture.

Nutritional Information:

Calories: 329 kcal | Protein: 19g | Carbohydrates: 26g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 590mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g

Nutritional information is an estimate only and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

If you love this Easy Hamburger Rice Casserole, you might also enjoy these other comfort food classics:

• Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
• Classic Tuna Noodle Bake
• Tex-Mex Beef and Rice Skillet
• Creamy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
• Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Goulash

Be sure to check out the recipe video for a visual walkthrough of this simple yet satisfying dish. Sometimes seeing the process makes all the difference, especially when it comes to getting that perfect rice texture!