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27 Easy, Economical Ground Beef & Rice Recipes 💲

27 Easy, Economical Ground Beef & Rice Recipes 💲

These ground beef and rice recipes create a quintessential combination for hearty and economical dinners! 

The savory beef and the filling rice lend themselves to all kinds of recipes. 

It seems as though this all got started when money was tight and ground beef was considered a less expensive protein option and when paired with low-cost rice it led to family-satisfying meals! 

Both of these ingredients can be prepared in a variety of ways and served creatively as well. 

Maybe you came across a hamburger rice recipe that is simply a burger patty with a sauce served with rice on the side. 

Maybe a recipe for beef and rice was a fancy casserole with lots of other ingredients included.  

Beef and rice recipes can be served on a plate or in a bowl as a delicious soup! 

When wondering what to make with ground beef and rice, you only have to look as far as your pantry or freezer because sometimes a combination of whatever is on hand turns into a lovely casserole without following a specific recipe. 

Beef and rice recipes also take on seasonings really well, easily turning a dish into having a savory Mexican or Asian or Cajun flare with very little work. 

Often a rice and ground beef recipe can be made in one skillet making cleanup a breeze, which everyone appreciates! 

Here I have collected 27 delicious ground beef and rice recipes of all kinds for nights when you want a comforting and economical meal to make at home. 

This is one of those beef and rice casseroles that has lots of flexibility in the added ingredients. 

It calls for mushrooms, sour cream, and cream of mushroom soup, but you could just as easily add in peas, corn or carrots. 

The cheese that goes on top can be your favorite as well. 

White long grain rice is recommended because it has a creamier consistency.

This is a bit more involved hamburger rice recipe as it is made from scratch Korean ground beef bowl. 

Several parts like the  jasmine rice and the pickled onions can be made the day ahead if time will be of the essence at mealtime. 

The ground beef has a lovely sauce and eggs on top. 

The seasoned spinach with roasted sesame seeds is wonderful and the assembling of it all in a bowl is SO satisfying! 

Beef and rice recipes that come together quickly and taste amazing are my absolute favorite! 

This Mexican inspired one is indeed one I reach for often! 

You can not go wrong with ground beef, onions, corn, black beans, tomatoes, rice and seasonings! 

Cheddar cheese on top is amazing and the topping options when serving could include cilantro, pico de gallo, or sour cream. 

Use a large skillet since room is needed to properly mix all these yummy ingredients!

Here’s our list of Mexican Appetizers to start this meal off right!

This dirty rice and ground beef recipe is decidedly cajun with a true New Orleans vibe, including green peppers, celery and onion! 

The rice is called “dirty” because when it is cooked with meat, in this case ground beef, and cajun spices all that beautiful rice looks gray.

Using beef broth in making the rice adds a wonderful deep flavor! 

The Instant Pot is your friend because it is dependable and gives a predictable outcome every time.

You knew I had to throw in one (or two) recipes for what to make with ground beef and rice that actually uses cauliflower rice for the low carb folks! 

That and it is a great introduction to this option for some who may never have tried it before to see how the texture really does resemble rice!

This casserole has it all from the ground beef to the seasonings to the spinach to the shredded cheese! 

So many tantalizing tastes tied together! 

Many ground beef and rice recipes are super easy to make with totally different flavor profiles. 

This one is most definitely kid friendly with ground beef, onion, long grain rice, salt, cream cheese, a quality pasta sauce and just a bit of chili powder. 

It is a skillet meal meaning it is all made in one skillet including the rice. 

Easy and tasty for the WIN!

Beef and rice do not have to sit on a plate all by themselves! 

This recipe is one you probably have eaten or even made but not thought about being in this category, and that is stuffed bell peppers. 

The stuffing consists of ground beef, garlic, zucchini, tomatoes, corn, and cooked rice! 

Those peppers come out delicious and filling with two layers of cheese in the assembly stage! 

So easy to serve too!

Another delicious one skillet beef and rice recipe coming at ya! 

This one is kinda like stuffed peppers but with the peppers included in the skillet. 

Other ingredients include ground beef, zucchini, onion, tomatoes, uncooked instant brown rice, garlic, seasonings and of course cheese. 

Four easy steps and dinner is on the table! 

Just fabulous!

This hamburger rice recipe is a proper casserole that is baked in the oven. 

It also has a celery flair which sets it apart from others. 

It includes ground beef, garlic powder, onion, diced celery, beef broth, cream of celery soup and long grain white rice. 

Several pro tips to remember.  

Spray the 1.5 quart casserole dish well and cover tightly with aluminum foil for baking so the rice cooks completely.  

A great recipe to double if you want some to share or freeze.

Broccoli has entered the beef and rice recipes list! 

This hearty skillet meal is quick to pull together and filled with ground beef, broccoli, medium grain rice and cheese. 

For flavor, it has creole seasoning, beef bouillon for the water, and as much as a whole can of Rotel depending on your preference. 

Rice is cooked right in the skillet so flavors fully incorporate and cleanup is easy!

Here we have a rice and ground beef recipe with a decidedly Italian taste! 

Everybody loves one Italian dish or another which makes this skillet a huge family pleaser! 

This recipe includes ground beef, canned tomatoes, peas and carrots, white rice, beef broth, oregano, basil and yes, mozzarella cheese! 

If you want it more saucy, add in some tomato sauce. 

If you want it extra cheesy, add in some parmesan on top! 

A sprinkle of parsley as a garnish and your work is done!

Korean BBQ in ground beef and rice recipes can go several different ways. 

Earlier on the list we had a Bibimbap bowl and now we have a Bulgogi bowl. 

This one may be the less traditional, but oh so delicious with ground beef, onion, ginger, garlic tossed in a bulgogi sauce. 

In addition, the bowls have charred shredded carrots, quick pickled cucumbers, rice and lettuce leaves. 

Other options could be avocado, kimchi or green onions.

Now we have a beef and rice recipe that highlights green beans as the vegetable of choice along with an interesting marinate for the ground beef to rest in for 20 minutes before serving. 

The beans are sauteed and seasoned first, then the ground beef is cooked with the green beans added back in after. 

The rice is cooked separately. 

Beautiful presentation!

The Instant Pot gets involved with this hamburger rice recipe! 

I would classify it as a comforting and cozy casserole, just not in a dish and not out of the oven! 

Nevertheless, it has ground beef, chicken broth, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, long grain white rice, tomato soup, and corn. 

There is nothing spicy or questionable that anyone should complain about. 

The final step of stirring in a combination of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses is brilliant!

There are many beef and rice recipes for soup as well. 

This one in particular starts with ground beef and adds in any veggies on hand including cauliflower rice. 

Of course regular rice could be added instead! 

It is full of onions, zucchini, squash, sweet potatoes, a frozen vegetable melange, cauliflower rice, and seasoned with cumin and basil and red pepper flakes. 

Feel free to add your preferred spices as well! 

Beef stock gives a richness to every bite!  

Here are even more Ground Beef Soups!

Louisiana influence here with a red beans, rice and ground beef recipe! 

It is a meat lovers delight as there is also smoked beef sausage and the bean of choice is kidney. 

Traditional red beans and rice do not have meat so this is a new variation that is delicious! 

It also includes celery, onion, peppers, garlic, cajun seasoning and broth. 

The rice is cooked separately and it is all served in a bowl with the beans and meat on top!

Meatballs are another excellent decision for what to make with ground beef and rice! 

These are sweet and sticky teriyaki meatballs served over broccoli fried rice. 

Be prepared to get your fingers messy mixing together ground beef, green onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, an egg, salt and pepper! 

Fry them on the stove till lightly browned all over, pour the sauce over them and bake! 

The broccoli rice is simply cooked rice with steamed broccoli cut down into tiny bites and mixed together. 

21 more Meatball Dinner Ideas you’ll love right here!

Easy is a great word to describe many of these skillet ground beef and rice recipes! 

This one has an Asian touch with the use of soy sauce, oyster sauce and garlic powder being added to the ground beef, rice and beef broth. 

Be sure it sits at a steady simmer so the rice cooks properly. 

The veggie component is shredded carrots and frozen peas.  

Thirty minutes and dinner is ready! 

Want an authentic ground beef dish? Chef-created Korean Bibimbap here.

If you are familiar with Hamburger Helper, you know it is a box mix that you can buy off the shelf and all that is needed is to add the ground beef. 

Here is a copycat recipe for their “Crunchy Taco” version of beef and rice. 

Making it yourself is also simple. 

Add taco seasoning to the water that the instant rice will cook in. 

Cook up the ground beef and add to rice when the rice is done. 

Top with cheese and serve with tortillas or chips.

Wild rice and lots of cheese make this hamburger rice recipe outstanding! 

The ground beef and onions are cooked up in a skillet while Uncle Ben’s box of long grain and wild rice is steaming in another pot. 

The flexibility from here forward is great. 

You could choose any blend of vegetables, any can of “cream of” soup, any style cheese to shred! 

Everything gets mixed together in a casserole dish and baked to perfection!

Even more ground beef casserole recipes ahead.

BBQ is the bright flavor in this sauce which is sweet and smoky with a little heat on this rice and ground beef recipe! 

You know it is different when you see BBQ sauce, sweet chili Thai sauce, and maple syrup on the ingredient list. 

After the Instant Pot is done working its magic cooking the ground beef and rice components, that is when the sauce and cheese are added. 

Definitely different!

Enchiladas are up next on our list of beef and rice recipes! 

The cooked ground beef is actually mixed with Spanish rice mix for a wonderful Tex-Mex meal! 

The mixture plus some cheese is spooned into tortillas, which are then rolled up and lined up in a casserole dish. 

The red or green enchilada sauce is mixed with the heavy cream and evenly poured over the top. 

Cover well with cheese before baking. 

If you like, beans could easily be added. 

Top with your favorite ingredients! 

Ole!

If you want a more traditional answer to what to make with ground beef and rice, this simple, back to basics recipe might be the one you want. 

No fancy. 

No frills. 

Just ground beef and seasonings mixed together, formed into meatballs and cooked in a skillet. 

Then bouillon, water and flour come to a boil, stirring continuously to make a nice gravy. 

The meatballs are added back in and together the meatballs and gravy are served over white rice. 

Simple and satisfying! 

This recipe is from a collection of Latin America ground beef and rice recipes and this one makes picadillo. 

Picadillo is a Cuban recipe for a comforting thick stew, and depending on which country it is from, there are many variations. 

It starts like many of the others do but ends differently with addition of green olives for a bit of salt and raisins for a bit of sweet. 

It is served over white rice. 

This classic country hamburger steak, sometimes called salisbury steak, is another way to prepare ground beef and rice! 

It may not necessarily be the most beautiful plate, but it is delicious! 

The brown onion gravy is the real standout here. 

Wonderful seasonings are added to the ground beef before it is shaped into patties and cooked in a skillet. 

Then the savory onion is sauteed and the gravy is made. 

Hamburgers are put back in to be covered in gravy and finished cooking. 

Stunning and tasty served over rice. 

If you like mushrooms, they are a fantastic addition!

There have been a couple Mexican inspired beef and rice recipes on this list, but I have kept the best for last to reward those who make it to the end. 

Not really, but kinda. 

Starts with onions, red peppers and ground beef. 

Next comes the salsa, black beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, jasmine rice, taco seasoning, chili powder and chicken stock. 

Bring to a boil and simmer for the rice to get cooked. 

Sprinkle on cheese and toppings and serve over lettuce or eat with tortilla chips. 

It could also be a nacho topping or tortilla filling!

The bottom line

Ground beef and rice recipes come in many different flavors and varieties! 

I do hope that some of these have inspired you to explore some beef and rice recipes in the near future!

🍜 Want something a bit different? Try Japanese Ground Beef Recipes! 🍜

27 Easy Ground Beef & Rice Recipe

27 Easy Ground Beef & Rice Recipe

You’ll love these—27 of the best ground beef and rice recipes for an easy, hearty dinner!

Ingredients

  • Easy Sweet And Sour Ground Beef
  • Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Casserole
  • Authentic Korean Ground Beef Rice Bowl-Bibimbap
  • Easy Mexican Ground Beef And Rice
  • Instant Pot Dirty Rice-Cajun
  • Cheesy Ground Beef And Cauliflower Rice Low Carb Casserole
  • Super Easy Ground Beef And Rice Skillet
  • The Best Stuffed Bell Peppers
  • Hamburger And Zucchini Skillet
  • Hamburger & Rice With Celery Casserole
  • One-Pot Beefy Broccoli Rice
  • Italian Beef And Rice Skillet
  • Ground Beef Bulgogi Bowls
  • Green Bean And Ground Beef Stir Fry
  • Instant Pot Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice
  • Mom's Vegetable Beef Soup
  • Red Beans And Rice With Ground Beef
  • Sweet & Sticky Teriyaki Meatballs And Rice
  • One-Pan Asian Ground Beef And Rice
  • Taco Rice-Hamburger Helper Crunchy Taco Copycat
  • Cheesy Beef And Wild Rice Casserole
  • Instant Pot Cheesy BBQ Ground Beef And Rice
  • Cheesy Ground Beef And Rice Enchiladas
  • Meatballs And Gravy Over Rice
  • Cuban Picadillo
  • Country Hamburger Steak With Onion Gravy
  • Easy One Pot Burrito Bowl

Instructions

  1. Take a look at our Ground Beef And Rice Recipes list!
  2. Bring the ingredients to create a new favorite dish.
  3. Woohoo! You created a home-cooked meal!
  4. Comment your thoughts on our Facebook page!

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