Description:

Cheesy Hamburger Rice Casserole is a very satisfying and flavorful dish that contains tender ground meat with white rice, diced tomatoes, and sauce. Then bake them with melted cheese on top, seasoned with onions and various herbs and spices. For the busy weakened nights or for a feast with family, the casserole is easy to make and can be made ahead of time.
This dish is also good for your health; the combination of meat and rice in the casserole provides a great source of protein.

Prep time: 10 minutes	Cook time: 45 minutes
Rest time: 5 minutes	Serving: 6
Calories: 457	Difficulty: advanced

Instructions:

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 375 °F. In a nonstick pan, brown the ground beef over medium heat until it is fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
Step 2:
Now add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and sauté them until they become soft; it will take 5 minutes.
Step 3:
It’s time to add the rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper, and stir them properly. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for the next five minutes.
Step 4:
Take a baking dish and grease it with oil; the size of the baking dish should be 9 by 13 inches. Now transfer the mixture into it. Cover the dish with foil, and now bake them for 30–35 minutes, until the rice is tender.

Step 5:

Remove the foil from above; now sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the casserole. Bake for an extra 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.

Can we freeze cheesy hamburger rice casserole?

Yes, we can store the dish in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days, so first cover the dish with a tight-fitting lid. You can also use a plastic wrap tightly, and then freeze it.  When reheating, you can reheat the whole dish or a portion of it, according to your needs. It’s an important tip: make sure the dish is fully reheated to an internal temperature of 165 °F (ca. 74 °C) before serving.