Name: Hamburger Rice Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef ((90 to 95% lean)); ½ cup chopped red bell pepper; ½ cup chopped green bell pepper; ½ cup chopped yellow onion; 3 garlic cloves, minced; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup beef broth; ¼ cup milk; 1¼ cups instant brown rice; 1 cup cheddar cheese, divided; ½ cup sour cream; 2 Tablespoons chopped parsley

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This hamburger rice skillet blends seasoned ground beef, rice, and vegetables in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Fresh bell peppers and onions cook with the beef, then everything simmers together with brown rice and gets topped with plenty of melted cheddar cheese and sour cream.

The whole meal cooks in one pot and takes just 30 minutes to make, perfect for when you need a filling dinner without much cleanup!

Hamburger rice in a skillet served on a wooden board.

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I love serving this hamburger rice skillet straight from the pot when the cheddar cheese is still melted and gooey on top. The sour cream makes everything extra creamy and rich, while the fresh parsley adds a bright finishing touch.

I like to serve it with a fresh green salad dressed simply with olive oil and lemon juice - the light, citrusy dressing pairs perfectly with the rich casserole. Sometimes I'll add a piece of crusty bread on the side too, because the sauce is too good to leave behind.

This recipe is also adaptable to what you have on hand. While I love using a mix of red and green bell peppers for color, any combination works great. You can also switch up the cheese - sharp cheddar is my favorite, but mild cheddar or even a Mexican cheese blend works well too. Just make sure to keep the total amount of cheese the same so the sauce stays creamy.

The leftovers of this hamburger rice skillet recipe are fantastic for lunch the next day. I actually think the flavors get even better after a night in the fridge. When reheating, I add a small splash of milk and stir it well - this brings back the creamy texture and makes it taste freshly made.

Ingredient Notes

See the printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

Ingredients to make Hamburger Rice Skillet set out on the counter.

Ground beef: I use 93% lean ground beef for this hamburger rice casserole - it has enough fat for flavor but won't make the dish greasy. You can use leaner or fattier beef if you prefer.
Bell peppers and onion: The combination of red and green bell peppers adds great color and flavor. Yellow or orange peppers work just as well. Make sure to dice them into small, even pieces so they cook at the same rate.
Garlic: Both fresh minced garlic and garlic powder are used in this recipe. The fresh garlic cooks with the beef and vegetables, while the powder adds an extra layer of flavor throughout the dish.
Rice: This recipe uses instant brown rice, which cooks quickly and adds a nutty flavor. Regular instant white rice works too, but brown rice gives more texture and nutrition.
Beef broth and milk: These create a rich, flavorful cooking liquid for the rice.
Cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar melts much better than pre-shredded. Sharp or medium cheddar both work great - choose based on how strong you like your cheese flavor.
Sour cream: This adds richness and a slight tanginess to the dish. Full-fat sour cream makes the creamiest sauce, but light sour cream works too.
Seasonings: The combination of oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder gives this dish classic comfort food flavor. The salt and pepper amounts can be adjusted to your taste.
Parsley: Fresh chopped parsley adds color and a pop of freshness at the end. It's more than just garnish - it brightens up the whole dish.

How To Make Hamburger Rice Skillet

Parsley, garlic, onions, red and green peppers are chopped on a wooden cutting board.

Seasonings, chopped peppers, onion, minced garlic, and ground beef in a skillet.

Browned ground beef with seasonings, peppers, and onions in a skillet.

Let's begin by heating a deep skillet or pot over medium heat. While it warms up, chop your peppers and onion into small, even pieces. Mince the garlic so it's ready to go - this hamburger rice casserole comes together quickly once you start cooking.

Add your ground beef to the hot skillet along with the chopped peppers, onion, and minced garlic. Sprinkle in all your seasonings - the garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook everything together for about 7 minutes, until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables have softened.

Beef broth and milk added to the browned ground beef mixture in the skillet.

Rice is added to the ground beef mixture in the skillet.

Sour cream and cheddar cheese are added to the ground beef mixture in the skillet.

Once your beef is cooked through, pour in the beef broth and milk. Give everything a good stir and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer. Now add your instant brown rice, stirring to make sure all the grains are covered by the liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low.

Let the hamburger rice casserole recipe simmer for 10 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid. You'll know it's done when the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Remove the lid and stir everything together.

Cheddar cheese and sour cream stirred into the ground beef mixture in the skillet.

The Hamburger Rice mixture is stirred together in the skillet.

The hamburger rice mixture is topped with shredded cheddar cheese in the skillet.

Now comes the creamy, cheesy finish. Add half of your shredded cheddar cheese and all of the sour cream to the pot. Stir until the cheese melts and everything is well combined. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, then put the lid back on for just a minute or two until it melts completely.

Finally, sprinkle fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Your one-pot meal is ready to serve!

Hamburger Rice being served from Skillet with wooden spoon.

Substitutions and Variations

Switch up the protein. This hamburger rice casserole works great with ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version. Just make sure to add an extra tablespoon of oil when cooking since these meats are leaner.
Try different cheeses. I love using sharp cheddar cheese in this recipe, but you can also use Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican cheese blend. Pepper Jack adds a nice kick if you want some heat.
Add extra vegetables. Mushrooms, corn, or diced carrots blend perfectly into this dish. Just add them when you're cooking the peppers and onions.
Change the rice. I love using instant brown rice for the extra nutrition, but you can use white instant rice if you prefer.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Freezing

Make Ahead: This hamburger rice recipe can be prepped in advance to make dinner even quicker. Chop all the vegetables and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can also measure out and combine all the dry seasonings ahead of time.

Store: Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a small splash of milk and warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. The sauce will become creamy again as it heats up.

Freeze: This recipe freezes well for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk to restore the creamy texture. Stir occasionally while reheating until it's heated through and the sauce is smooth again.

Recipe Tips

For this hamburger rice recipe, use a deep skillet or pot with a tight-fitting lid. This helps the rice cook evenly and prevents any liquid from evaporating too quickly.
Make sure your rice is fully submerged in the liquid before covering the pot. Give it a quick stir to ensure no dry rice is stuck to the sides of the pot.
If the final dish seems too thick, add a splash of warm milk or beef broth to reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, let it sit for a few minutes - it will continue to thicken as it cools slightly.
For the best flavor, let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes after adding the final cheese topping. This gives everything time to settle and allows the flavors to come together.

What can I use if I don't have instant rice?

If you only have regular rice, cook it separately according to package directions and reduce the liquid in the recipe to 1/2 cup each of broth and milk. Stir in the cooked rice when you add the cheese.

A serving of hamburger rice is being spooned onto a plate.

We love easy skillet recipes, and this Skillet Lasagna, Cajun Chicken and Sausage Skillet, and Taco Skillet Dinner are family favorites!

This one-pot hamburger rice skillet brings comfort food to your table in just 30 minutes. The creamy, cheesy sauce coats every grain of rice, and you get savory beef and tender vegetables in each bite. With just one pot to wash and plenty of delicious leftovers, this meal makes both dinner and cleanup easy!