All In One Hamburger Casserole

6 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 50 m Total: 1 h 5 m Beginner
3.0/5 (2)
Fix this in the dish and bake it in the dish—this one-pot hamburger casserole layers rice, seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, and corn for an easy weeknight meal that goes from prep to table in about an hour. Perfect for busy families.

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 1 cup rice (uncooked, long-grain white rice)
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper
  • 2 tbsp butter or margarine
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped onion
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped bell pepper
  • 1 No. 2 can tomatoes (or one 20 oz can whole or diced tomatoes with liquid)
  • 1 can whole kernel corn (15 oz, drained)
  • bread crumbs for top

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 2 quart casserole dish.
  2. Measure the rice and place an even layer on the bottom of the greased dish.
  3. Mix together the flour, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle 1/3 of this flour mixture over the rice layer; dot with a little butter.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix the raw ground beef with the finely chopped onion and bell pepper. Spread this meat mixture evenly over the rice. Sprinkle another 1/3 of the flour mixture over the meat and dot with butter.
  5. Make a layer with the tomatoes, including the liquid. (Note: you might want to try substituting with Rotel Brand Tomatoes for extra flavor and spice.) Sprinkle another 1/3 of the flour mixture over the tomatoes.
  6. Spread the drained corn on top and dot with the remaining butter.
  7. Sprinkle bread crumbs over the top to form a light crust. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil or a lid.
  8. Bake covered in the preheated oven at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes, until the rice is tender and the beef is fully cooked. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my rice still hard after baking?

A: Make sure you're using enough liquid from the canned tomatoes and that your casserole is tightly covered during baking. If your tomatoes don't have much liquid, add 1/2 cup water or beef broth. The rice needs moisture and steam to cook properly.

Q: Can I use cooked ground beef instead of raw?

A: This recipe is designed for raw ground beef, which releases juices that help cook the rice. If using pre-cooked beef, add an extra 1/2 to 3/4 cup of beef broth or water to compensate for the missing liquid.

Q: The top is browning too fast—what should I do?

A: Keep the casserole covered for the full baking time. The bread crumbs are just for texture, not for browning. If you want a crispy top, uncover for the last 5 minutes only.

Tips and Techniques

For best results, use canned tomatoes with plenty of liquid—the rice cooks in that tomato liquid along with the juices from the ground beef. If you like it spicy, swap regular canned tomatoes for Rotel tomatoes with green chiles.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • ground beef: ground turkey or ground chicken
  • canned tomatoes: Rotel tomatoes with green chiles
  • whole kernel corn: frozen corn (thawed) or Mexicorn

Equipment Needed

  • 2-quart casserole dish with lid or aluminum foil for covering
  • mixing bowls
  • measuring cups and spoons