Ground beef and rice are a classic pairing for good reason—they’re budget-friendly, filling, and incredibly versatile. You can turn them into casseroles, soups, skillet meals, or bowls. They work with practically any cuisine, from Mexican to Asian to Cajun, just by switching up your seasonings.
The best part? Many of these recipes come together in one pot or skillet, making cleanup easy. And if you’re working with whatever’s already in your pantry or freezer, you can often magically whip up a satisfying dinner without following a specific recipe at all. Riff on one of these to get you started.
Here are 27 ground beef and rice recipes for comforting, economical dinners at home..
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1. Easy Sweet & Sour Ground Beef
Ground beef and rice recipes easily take on flavors and this one is a wonderful sweet and sour combination! And yes, it has pineapple as well as brown sugar, onion, pepper, tomato sauce and tomato soup!
White or brown rice work well here.
Layers of our favorite tex-mex favorites: seasoned ground beef, rice, corn, beans, stacked between burrito-sized flour tortillas and practically pummeled with melted cheese. It cuts like a cake for some fun presentation, too.
This is a bit more involved hamburger rice recipe as it is a 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.
4. Easy Mexican Ground Beef & Rice
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.
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!
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!
7. Super Easy Ground Beef & Rice Skillet
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.
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!
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.
This hamburger rice recipe is a proper casserole that is baked in the oven. It includes ground beef, garlic powder, onion, diced celery, beef broth, cream of celery soup and long grain white rice. 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.
Enter broccoli. This hearty skillet meal is quick to pull together and filled with ground beef, broccoli, medium grain rice and cheese. For zing, 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!
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. 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 this recipe has green beans as the vegetable of choice along with an interesting marinade 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.
This Instant Pot recipe combines ground beef, long grain white rice, chicken broth, milk, tomato soup, corn, onion powder, and garlic powder in one pot. Stir in mozzarella and cheddar at the end for a satisfying, family-friendly meal.
This flexible ground beef soup uses whatever vegetables you have on hand—onions, zucchini, squash, sweet potatoes, and cauliflower rice (or regular rice). Season with cumin, basil, and red pepper flakes, then simmer in beef stock.
Here are even more Ground Beef Soups!
This Louisiana-inspired dish features ground beef, smoked beef sausage, and kidney beans with celery, onion, peppers, garlic, and Cajun seasoning in broth. Cook the rice separately, then serve with the beans and meat on top
Ready in 30 minutes, these teriyaki meatballs work with ground beef, turkey, or chicken. Serve over broccoli fried rice for a healthier option or white rice for picky eaters. Easily made gluten-free by using gluten-free teriyaki sauce.
21 more Meatball Dinner Ideas you’ll love right here!
A Hamburger Helper made fabulous (and healthier)! 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. Thirty minutes and dinner is ready!
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. 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.
Mix cooked ground beef with Spanish rice mix and cheese, then spoon into tortillas. Roll and place in a casserole dish. Pour enchilada sauce mixed with heavy cream over the top, cover with cheese, and bake. Add beans if desired.
Season ground beef, form into meatballs, and cook in a skillet. Make gravy by bringing bouillon, water, and flour to a boil, stirring continuously. Add the meatballs back to the gravy and serve over white rice.
25. Cuban Picadillo
This recipe is from a collection of Latin America ground beef and rice recipes. Picadillo is a Cuban recipe for a comforting thick stew, and depending on which country it is from, there are many variations, but this one includes green olives and raisins!
This classic country hamburger steak, sometimes called salisbury steak, is another way to combine economical ingredients. Season ground beef, form into patties, and cook in a skillet. Sauté onions and make gravy, then return the patties to the skillet to finish cooking in the gravy. Serve over rice. Add mushrooms if desired.
Combine onions, red peppers, ground beef, salsa, black beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, jasmine rice, taco seasoning, chili powder, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and simmer until the rice is cooked. Top with cheese and serve over lettuce or 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 more ground beef recipes? Try Japanese Ground Beef Recipes! 🍜
