Hamburger Rice Casserole with Cream of Mushroom Soup

This hamburger rice casserole with cream of mushroom soup is old-fashioned comfort food at its simplest. It uses just four main ingredients (ground beef, white rice, cream of mushroom soup, and milk), and the uncooked rice bakes right in the dish, so you don’t have to wash a separate pot. It’s the perfect easy dinner for a busy weeknight when you want something warm and filling without spending much time in the kitchen.

This casserole has been a family favorite for years. It’s hearty, simple, and loved by all ages, picky eaters included. Add a side of green beans or roasted broccoli for a complete, well-rounded supper.

Why You Will Love This Hamburger Rice Casserole

• Quick and simple: Brown the beef, stir everything together in one dish, and let the oven do the rest.
• Only 4 main ingredients: Ground beef, rice, cream of mushroom soup, and milk, plus salt, pepper, and parsley.
• Great for picky eaters: Some hamburger rice casserole recipes add cheddar, Monterey Jack, green beans, corn, or bell peppers. This one keeps it plain and creamy, just the way my family likes it.
• Made with pantry staples: You likely already have everything you need.
• No pre-cooking the rice: Uncooked rice goes straight into the casserole dish and soaks up all that savory flavor as it bakes.
• Perfect for leftovers: It reheats beautifully for an easy lunch or second supper.

What Is Hamburger Rice Casserole?

Hamburger rice casserole is a classic, old-fashioned dish made with browned ground beef, uncooked rice, and a creamy sauce, usually cream of mushroom soup, all baked together in one dish. Across the Midwest, you’ll often hear it called hamburger rice hotdish. It’s the kind of budget-friendly, stick-to-your-ribs supper passed down through family recipe boxes and church cookbooks for generations.

What makes it so easy is that the rice cooks right in the casserole. The soup and milk become the cooking liquid, so the rice turns tender and creamy while soaking up the savory beef flavor.

Ingredients

I have only made this recipe exactly as I’m sharing it, so for the best results, I recommend sticking with these ingredients. Full amounts are in the recipe card below.

• Lean ground beef: Adds hearty, savory flavor. Lean beef means less grease to drain.
• White rice: I use basmati rice, but long-grain white rice should also work. Avoid minute rice, since it cooks too quickly and turns mushy.
• Organic cream of mushroom soup: Creates the creamy sauce and adds rich, savory flavor.
• Milk: Thins the soup so there’s enough liquid to cook the rice, and keeps the sauce smooth.
• Salt and black pepper: Simple seasonings that bring out the flavor of the beef.
• Fresh chopped parsley: A bright garnish to finish the dish. Dried parsley works too.

Kitchen Essentials: Cast Iron Skillet | Casserole Dish (2-quart)

How to Make Hamburger Rice Casserole

Here’s how to make this creamy hamburger rice casserole that the whole family will love:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Brown the beef. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain any excess grease.
3. Stir it together. In a 2-quart casserole dish, add the uncooked rice, browned ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and milk. Season with salt and black pepper and stir until well combined.
4. Bake covered. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
5. Stir and bake again. Remove the casserole, stir well, cover with foil again, and bake for another 30 minutes.
6. Check the rice. If the rice isn’t tender yet, bake for another 10–15 minutes and check again.
7. Finish and serve. Stir once more, taste, and add more salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.

Recipe Tips

• Cover it tightly. The foil traps the steam that cooks the rice. If steam escapes, the rice can stay crunchy.
• Don’t skip the halfway stir. Stirring at the 30-minute mark helps the rice cook evenly, so you don’t end up with hard rice on top and soft rice underneath.
• Don’t overcook the rice. Start checking at the end of the second bake so the rice turns out tender, not mushy.
• Season well. Salt and black pepper bring out the best savory flavor, so taste before serving and adjust.
• Drain the grease. Draining the browned beef keeps the casserole creamy instead of greasy.

What to Serve with Hamburger Rice Casserole

This casserole is a complete meal, but a simple side rounds it out:

• Green beans. Frozen works great; see my tips for cooking frozen green beans.
• Sweet corn, roasted broccoli, or sheet pan Parmesan roasted vegetables
• A fresh tomato salad or a green salad with homemade ranch dressing
• Tater tots, homemade dinner rolls, or buttermilk biscuits

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The USDA has helpful guidance on storing leftovers safely.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, until heated through, or microwave individual portions. If it has thickened in the fridge, stir in a splash of milk before reheating to bring back the creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you cook the rice before adding it to hamburger rice casserole?

No. The rice goes into the casserole uncooked. The cream of mushroom soup and milk act as the cooking liquid, and the rice becomes tender as it bakes covered in the oven.

How long does it take to bake hamburger rice casserole?

Bake it covered at 350°F for about 60 minutes total, stirring halfway through. Depending on your rice and oven, it may need an extra 10–15 minutes until the rice is tender.

Why is my rice still crunchy?

Usually the foil wasn’t sealed tightly enough, so steam escaped, or the casserole needed a little more time. Stir, re-cover tightly, and bake another 10–15 minutes. If the casserole looks dry, add a splash of milk before returning it to the oven.

Can I use minute rice or instant rice?

I don’t recommend it. Instant rice is already cooked, so it turns mushy during the long bake time. Stick with regular long-grain white rice or basmati.

Can I use brown rice?

I haven’t tested this recipe with brown rice. Brown rice needs more liquid and a longer cooking time than white rice, so it won’t cook through with the amounts and bake time in this recipe.

Is hamburger rice casserole the same as hamburger rice hotdish?

Yes. “Hotdish” is simply what many Midwest families call a casserole. Hamburger rice hotdish and hamburger rice casserole are the same comforting, old-fashioned dish.

Can I make it ahead of time?

You can brown the ground beef up to a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. Stir everything together and bake it right before you plan to serve. Assembling it fully ahead lets the uncooked rice sit in the liquid, which can change the texture.

More Ground Beef Recipes

If your family loves easy ground beef dinners, try these next:

• Hamburger Gravy
• Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
• One Pot Creamy Beef and Shells
• Simple Ground Beef Stroganoff
• Easy Ground Beef Skillet Recipes

More Casseroles You Will Love

• Easy Creamy Burrito Casserole Recipe
• Chicken Potato Casserole with Bacon

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