Crispy Onion Cheeseburger Rice Bake (Printable)

Savory ground beef, cheddar, crisp onions, and dill pickles blend with fluffy rice for the ultimate comfort bake.

# Components:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup dill pickle chips, plus extra for garnish
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

→ Grains

06 - 2 cups cooked white rice

→ Dairy

07 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ Condiments & Sauces

09 - 1/3 cup ketchup
10 - 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
11 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
12 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

→ Toppings

13 - 1 1/4 cups crispy fried onions

→ Seasonings

14 - 1 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
16 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat. Add chopped onion and garlic; sauté until softened.
03 - Stir in ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1-2 minutes until blended.
04 - Remove skillet from heat. Fold in cooked rice, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, milk, pickle chips, and cherry tomatoes if using.
05 - Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top. Bake for 20 minutes, until bubbly.
06 - Remove from oven, sprinkle crispy fried onions evenly over the top, and return to oven for 5-7 minutes until golden and crisp.
07 - Garnish with extra pickle chips before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour from start to finish
  • Uses everyday ingredients you likely have on hand
  • Kid friendly while still appealing to adult palates
  • Offers the perfect balance of comfort food flavors and textures
  • Makes excellent leftovers for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Perfect for meal prep and stays delicious for up to 3 days in the refrigerator
  • Each serving provides a complete meal with protein carbs and vegetables
  • Versatile recipe that can be customized based on your favorite burger toppings
  • Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months
03 -
  • For the ultimate flavor boost toast your rice in a bit of butter before cooking it for the casserole. This simple step adds remarkable depth to the final dish.
  • When browning the beef use a wooden spoon to break it into small consistent pieces for the best texture throughout the casserole.
  • If you want an extra crispy topping layer broil for the final minute but watch carefully to prevent burning.

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