Easy cheesy beef and rice casserole is the ultimate comfort food made with ground beef, rice, and plenty of melty cheese.
When life gets busy and you need a dinner that everyone will happily gather around the table for, this cheesy beef and rice casserole is the answer. Made with simple pantry staples like ground beef, white rice, tomato puree, cream of mushroom soup, and cheddar cheese, it’s one of those easy casserole recipes that never goes out of style.
The best part? Everything comes together with basic ingredients you probably already have on hand. It’s hearty, filling, and loaded with great flavor that the whole family will love.
Whether you’re feeding hungry kids after school, meal prepping for busy weeknights, or simply craving classic comfort food, this hamburger rice casserole is always a winner.
Recipe Overview
This cheesy ground beef rice casserole combines seasoned ground beef, uncooked rice, beef broth, cream of mushroom soup, tomato puree, and plenty of cheddar cheese in one casserole dish. Bake until the rice is tender and the cheese is perfectly melty for an easy ground beef dinner your family loves.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uses basic ingredients found in most kitchens
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Easy ground beef dinner that’s budget-friendly
- Makes excellent leftovers
- Full of cheesy, comforting goodness
- Great make-ahead meal
- One of the easiest ground beef casserole recipes you’ll ever make
Tips for Success
Cover Tightly
The foil is important because it traps moisture and helps the uncooked rice cook properly. Make sure your aluminum foil seals tightly around the baking dish.
Use Freshly Shredded Cheese
Freshly shredded cheddar cheese melts much better than pre-shredded varieties and creates that irresistible melty cheese topping.
Watch the Cooking Time
Different casserole dishes and ovens can vary. If your rice isn’t fully tender after 45 minutes, continue baking for another 10-15 minutes.
Drain Excess Grease
If using ground beef with a higher fat content, remove any excess grease after browning for the best texture.
Easy Variations
Use Brown Rice
Brown rice works well but requires additional liquid and a longer cooking time. Plan for about 15-20 extra minutes.
Add Vegetables
Mix in:
- Green beans
- Black beans
- Corn
- Bell peppers
- Diced tomatoes
Make It Tex-Mex Style
Add black beans, extra chili powder, and top with crushed tortilla chips before serving.
Add Sour Cream
Stir ½ cup sour cream into the casserole mixture for extra creaminess.
Extra Cheesy Version
Add an additional cup of cheese throughout the casserole and on top.
Instant Pot Option
Want to save even more time?
Brown the ground beef using the sauté setting on your Instant Pot. Add the remaining ingredients except the cheese.
Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes, then perform a 10-minute natural release.
Stir in the cheese and allow it to melt before serving.
What to Serve with Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
This hearty casserole pairs wonderfully with:
- Simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Steamed green beans
- Garlic bread
- Dinner rolls
- Fresh fruit salad
Because the casserole is already filling, lighter side dishes work especially well.
Beef and Rice Casserole FAQ
Yes, but reduce the liquid slightly and shorten the baking time. Instant rice cooks much faster than regular white rice.
Absolutely. Chicken stock can be used instead of beef broth if that’s what you have available.
Yes. Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Sharp cheddar cheese provides the best flavor, but Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend also work well.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole Step by Step
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato puree
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Preparation
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.
Drain any excess grease if necessary. Stir in the garlic, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute.
Step 2: Build the Casserole
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
In a large casserole dish or baking dish, combine:
- Ground beef mixture
- Uncooked rice
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Tomato sauce
- Beef broth
- 1 cup of cheese
Mix everything until well combined.
Step 3: Bake
Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil and check the rice. If needed, bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the rice is tender.
Step 4: Add More Cheese
Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
Return the casserole to the oven uncovered for 5 minutes, or until the cheese becomes hot and melty.
Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole Leftovers
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Warm individual servings in the microwave or reheat larger portions in the oven until heated through.
Freezing: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Recipe
Originally Published On: August 17, 2026
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 10.5 ox cream of mushroom soup
- 8 oz tomato puree
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
- Add ground beef and onion
- Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 6-8 minutes
- Drain excess grease
- Stir in garlic, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the ground beef mixture, uncooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, tomato puree, beef broth, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Stir until evenly mixed
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil
- Bake for 45 minutes
- Remove foil and check rice for tenderness. If needed, continue baking for 10-15 minutes
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the casserole
- Bake uncovered for 5 minutes until cheese is melted
- Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
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This looks like such a cozy comfort food idea – I would probably swap in a plant-based ground or lentils for the beef, but the cheesy rice base sounds perfect either way!
Yum, this looks so good! My kids would absolutely love this cheesy beef and rice casserole. It looks like such a comforting, hearty meal and perfect for a family dinner. Definitely one I know they would enjoy!
This cheesy beef and rice casserole looks like the ultimate weeknight comfort meal. I love how simple, hearty ingredients come together into something so satisfying. It sounds perfect for feeding the family without spending hours in the kitchen.
This is comfort food at its finest! We loved it when I made it last night. I can’t wait to make it again.
My family loved this casserole. It’s soooo delicious, hearty, and easy to make. A new favorite for our menu.
This sounds like one of those wonderful flavour recipes that he whole family would enjoy. We don’t normally have casseroles but it sounds ideal for a filling comforting meal to enjoy in the evening alongside a large mixed salad. I love that it is simple to prepare with ingredients that I’m likely to have already.
This looks like a fantastic meal. Love this kind of cheesy beef and rice food. I’ll add it to my recipe book.
Baking raw rice directly inside a warm casserole dish is such a smart shortcut for dinner. Getting that extra melty cheese layer on top makes the whole prep worth it.
This looks like the ultimate comfort food, especially with all that cheesy goodness! I love easy casserole recipes that are hearty, satisfying, and perfect for sharing with the family.
Another perfect, home cooked, stick to the ribs comfort dish that I could see families enjoying again and again. I must try making a vegetarian version as soon as possible. Delicious!
Oh wow, this is a solid weeknight comfort dish and comes together in one casserole. Thanks for the tip about covering tightly so the rice cooks properly