Description
This comforting Hamburger Rice Casserole combines lean ground beef, flavorful vegetables, and creamy mushroom soup baked alongside tender rice for a hearty, easy-to-make meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
Other Ingredients
- 1 10-ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water or beef broth
- Chow Mein Noodles (optional topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350º F (175º C). Grease a 3-quart casserole dish with non-stick spray and set it aside, ensuring it's ready for the casserole mixture.
- Brown the Beef and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and onion together. Break apart the beef as it cooks, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until the onion softens and the beef is mostly cooked. Add the chopped celery and continue to cook until the beef is fully cooked through. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Mix in Soup and Soy Sauce: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and soy sauce with the beef mixture until everything is evenly incorporated, creating a creamy and savory base for the casserole.
- Combine Rice and Liquid: Add the uncooked long grain white rice and the 2 cups of water (or beef broth for extra flavor) to the mixture. Stir to combine thoroughly and then pour this mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the casserole dish tightly with a lid or aluminum foil, and bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes. The rice should be cooked through and tender, absorbing the flavors of the beef and soup mixture.
- Serve and Garnish: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven. Serve hot, optionally topped with crispy chow mein noodles for a crunchy texture and additional soy sauce if desired for extra flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute beef broth for water to enhance the flavor of the rice.
- Be sure to cover the casserole dish tightly before baking to ensure the rice cooks evenly.
- Chow mein noodles add a crunchy contrast but are optional.
- For a lower fat version, use extra lean ground beef or ground turkey.
