This Ground Beef and Rice Instant Pot Casserole takes only 10 minutes from start to finish! Perfect for busy weeknight dinners!
Easy Instant Pot Casserole Recipe
Growing up, my mom called this “busy day casserole” because it was quick and easy to put together and throw in the oven to be ready at dinner time. With the Instant Pot, you can make this not only on a busy day, but on an ultra crazy insane day, which it seems like we are having more and more of here. Instant Pot Ground Beef and Rice Casserole for the win!!!!
Our original hamburger and rice casserole gets hundreds of pins every month. We just knew we had to create a recipe for the Instant Pot to make it an even quick and easier weeknight meal for your family.
Just like the original recipe, we have created two versions for this Instant Pot recipe. One is the super quick version, and one is the from scratch version. We like to make everything from scratch as often as possible, but sometimes life is crazy and you just need to open a can and pour it in to get dinner on the table.
I’ve mentioned several times that I was a picky eater growing up — sorry, Mom! Now my pickiness has come full circle and I have picky eaters of my own. Bless them! They love this Instant Pot casserole just like I did growing up. It is the cure to picky eater syndrome, and it even is getting vegetables in their bodies! Woop woop! I only wish I could find 10 more recipes they all will eat! A girl can dream!
What’s Needed for Instant Pot Ground Beef and Rice Casserole?
As I mentioned above, we created two versions of this Instant Pot hamburger casserole recipe — one version uses some ingredient shortcuts, and one version is totally from scratch. For the quick and easy version, you’ll need:
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Garlic salt
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Long grain white rice
- Water
- Carrots
- Cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
If making the from scratch version of this Instant Pot casserole recipe with ground beef, you’ll need to swap out the canned cream of mushroom soup for the following:
- Unsalted butter
- Garlic
- Mushrooms
- All-purpose flour
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Salt and pepper
How to Make the Quick Version of This Instant Pot Casserole
- Start by turning your Instant Pot to “more” on the Sauté mode.
- Sauté the ground beef until it is mostly cooked through and then add the onion and garlic salt. Cook that for a few minutes and then drain any excess grease.
- Then add the cream of mushroom soup, water and carrots and stir everything together well.
- Add the rice to the top and push it down slightly so it is just submerged under the liquid.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to “Seal.”
- Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes and then allow a quick release by turning the valve to open it. Give everything a good stir.
- You can add the cheese to the top then or we really like to place everything into an oven safe pan and then top with cheese and stick it unto the oven on broil to melt the cheese.
read more: Be sure to check out our Instant Pot Cheat Sheet for all the info you need on cooking with your Instant Pot!
How to Make This Instant Pot Casserole From Scratch
- For the from scratch version, we are going to make our own cream of mushroom soup. We start with the same steps of sautéing the ground beef and onions and removing it and draining the excess grease.
- Then, it is time to make the cream of mushroom soup. With the Instant Pot still on sauté, add the butter, onion, garlic and mushrooms and sauté it until everything is tender.
- Whisk everything with the flour for about 30 seconds.
- Add the cream, chicken broth, and seasonings and whisk until it all comes together and thickens.
- Then you can add the rest of the ingredients except the rice (water, garlic salt, carrots, previously cooked ground beef and onions) and stir everything thoroughly.
- Add the rice on top and push it down slightly so it is submerged in the liquid.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, set the valve to “Seal” and set it to high pressure for 6 minutes and then quick release when it has finished cooking.
- From there you can follow the instructions given in the quick version for melting the cheese.
How to Store Leftover Instant Pot Casserole
Store leftover Instant Pot ground beef casserole in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can I Use Brown Rice Instead of White?
Absolutely! If using brown rice in this ground beef Instant Pot casserole recipe, add an extra 1/2 cup of water. Note that it will need to cook for 20 minutes in the Instant Pot.
Can I Freeze Ground Beef and Rice Casserole?
Yes! Cook the Instant Pot casserole without the cheese, and then allow it to cool completely. Then, freeze it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
When you’re ready to eat the Instant Pot ground beef and rice casserole, put the cheese on it and warm it up in the oven (350 degrees F for about 30 minutes if you’re cooking from frozen). You could also let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then add the cheese and warm it up in the oven.
Tips for Making Instant Pot Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
One of the things I love about casseroles is that you can totally change things up to fit your family’s likes. You can:
- Add different vegetables (broccoli, green beans, corn, etc)
- Use cooked, shredded chicken instead of beef
- Use different cheeses for the top (pepper jack for some heat maybe?).
This ground beef Instant Pot recipe is so versatile!
More Instant Pot Dinner Recipes:
Looking for a few different Instant Pot dinner recipes other than our Ground Beef and Rice Casserole? Here are just a few to get you started:
- Easy Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Taco Soup
- Classic Instant Pot Chili
- Healthy Turkey Instant Pot Chili
- Instant Pot Smothered BBQ Beef Burritos
- Easy Instant Pot Honey Chicken
- Smoky BBQ Instant Pot Ribs
- BBQ Instant Pot Whole Chicken
- Award Winning Instant Pot Turkey
- All of our Instant Pot recipes!
Ground Beef and Rice Instant Pot Casserole
Description
Ingredients
Quick Version:
- 1.3 pounds Ground Beef
- 1/3 Cup Onion, , minced
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1 Can Soup, (Roasted Garlic Cream of Mushroom or regular cream of mushroom soup)
- 1 Cup Long Grain White Rice, (uncooked)
- 2 Cups Water
- 1 Cup Carrots, , sliced
- 1 1/2 Cups Cheese, , sliced or shredded (Cheddar or Colby Jack)
From Scratch Version:
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1/4 cup Onion, , minced
- 1 clove Garlic , , minced
- 1/2 cup White Buttom Mushrooms, , minced
- 3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper, , freshly ground
- Salt, , to taste
- 2 Cups Water
- 1.3 lbs Ground Beef, , cooked
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1 Cup Carrots, , sliced
- 1 Cup Long Grain White Rice, (uncooked)
- Cheese, , sliced or shredded (Cheddar or Colby Jack)
Instructions
Quick Version:
- Heat the instant pot to "more" on the sauté mode.
- Add the ground beef and cook until almost cooked through, add the onion and garlic salt and sauté for a total of 3-5 minutes.
- Drain excess grease.
- Add the soup, water and carrots and stir well to combine.
- Add the rice on top and push it down so it is just submerged under the liquid.
- Add the lid and set the valve to seal.
- Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Allow a quick release by turning the valve, stir everything together and either add the cheese or we like to pop it in a dish and cover with cheese under the broiler.
From Scratch Version:
- Heat the instant pot to saute and add the ground beef.
- Remove the meat to a plate and drain off grease.
- Keep the instant pot on sauté and add the butter, onion, garlic and mushrooms. Cook until tender and whisk in the flour for 30 seconds.
- Add the cream, broth and seasoning and continue to cook on saute until bubbling and thick.
- Quickly add all ingredients into the pot, stir well and add the lid.
- Set the valve to seal and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
- Follow remaining instructions above.
Notes
- You can add any additional seasonings or veggies.
- You can also use shredded, cooked chicken instead of beef.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
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Monsie
If I don’t have an Instant Pot can I do this in the oven just the same or do I need to altar it in some way?
Sweet Basil
Hello! We have an oven version here: https://ohsweetbasil.com/quick-and-easy-dinner-idea-rice-casserole/. Enjoy!!
Tessa
Hello,
I was wondering if I could use instant brown rice in this recipe. If so what adjustments need to be made?
Sweet Basil
Hi Tessa! Yes, absolutely! Reduce the cook time to 5 minutes. Everything else will stay the same. Enjoy!
Jeannine Hiester
LOVE THIS MEAL! THANK YOU!!
Sweet Basil
Yay!! Thanks!
Kay Barker
Wow! So easy, so good! Left out the cheese because we weren’t feeling cheezy! Added about 1/2 bag of frozen mixed vegetables with the carrots. Yum and thank you so much!
Sweet Basil
Yummy! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this recipe!
Dawn
I made this a month ago. The whole family LOVED it and has been asking for me to make it again. Problem is, I forgot to save the recipe. I just spent HOURS searching for this again. So happy to find it back and look forward to making it again!
Sweet Basil
Hi Dawn! I’m so glad you found it again! Enjoy! Thank you for taking time to leave a comment!
Dawn
I would now like to double the recipe. I’m fairly new to instant pot use, so I’m curious how I should adjust my cooking time with double the recipe. Thoughts?
Sweet Basil
Hi Dawn! Your cooking time shouldn’t change.
Kim
Would I need to double every ingredient (including the water or broth I’m using) when doubling this recipe?
Thanks
Sweet Basil
Hi Kim! Yes, double every ingredient.
Crystal Baybo
I cooked this last night, it was so super greasy. Are you not supposed to put the meat back into the pot when cooking the rice? I put it all back into the pot, mixed all together & cooked rice. Thank you!
Sweet Basil
Hi Crystal! I’m so sorry it was greasy. Did you drain all the grease after you cooked the meat? Yes, the meat goes back in when you cook the rice.
Crystal Baybo
Yes of course I drained the grease from the burger. Then I put the rice & things, along with the drained meat back into the InstaPot and it was greasy upon completition
Sweet Basil
I’m so sorry Crystal! We haven’t run into that problem before. You could try browning the meat on the stove top first and then cooking everything in the Instant Pot.
Dawn
Where does it say to add yhe rice and not stir it in? I am an accomplished cook and just got an instant pot. Wonder how much food I have to waste figuring out how to make it work? Or I may just return it.
Sweet Basil
Hi Dawn! I was skeptical of the Instant Pot too and took forever to buy one. We love it now! That instruction is in step 5 of the instructions. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Elisa
This is a magic unicorn of dishes: both my kids love it and happily clean their plates, plus it’s super easy to make! Instead of the cream of mushroom, I prefer to make it with a few tablespoons of butter and an onion soup mix packet.
Sweet Basil
Oh that sounds yummy! I love it…magic unicorn of dishes! I totally get it…finding someone all the kids will eat is miraculous! Thank you so much for the feedback!
Mary Jane
FABULOUS!
Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful recipe! I made your shortcut version exactly as you said, with a few additions for seasoning, as you suggested.
I was careful to measure my water and rice and added the rice last, did not stir it in, but made sure it was submerged or very close, knowing when it got to pressure, the boiling action would cook all of it.
I did NOT get a burn notice. I also was very careful to scrape every bit of browned bits of meat off the bottom of the pot before adding the other ingredients. I did the quick release at 6 minutes, and questioned the large amount of liquid still visible, and the rice wasn’t quite done. Not to worry! In a matter of minutes, even before I transferred it to a pan to add the cheese and broil, the rice finished absorbing the liquid and finished cooking. PERFECT!
I am married to a Cajun, and rice is a staple here. I am so thrilled to find another recipe that we both love. The fact it is one pot, and so easy, inexpensive, with all handy ingredients, what’s NOT to love? It is delicious even without the cheese and broiling.
I appreciate all of the effort you went to to perfect the recipe and post it. To anyone hesitant to make this, follow the directions to the tee. You will not be disappointed.
THANKS AGAIN FOR A WONDERFUL RECIPE!
Sweet Basil
Wow! Thank you so much for the feedback Mary Jane! You’re review will be so helpful to our other readers! So glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Sonja Acton
Fast, easy & delicious! No issues, just followed the directions step by step!!!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much Sonja!
Angel
Hello! Can this be made in a crock pot?
Sweet Basil
Hi Angel! I don’t see why it wouldn’t work in the crock pot, but we haven’t tested the recipe yet to know specific instruction. Here is a link to our original recipe which cooks it in the oven if that helps: https://ohsweetbasil.com/quick-and-easy-dinner-idea-rice-casserole/
Amy
Tried the from scratch without the mushrooms. The directions say to add the onion in step 1 and step 3. I added them to the sautee meat and then added some more for step 3. Should you really mix all the ingredients? I got the burn notice twice….I should have read these comments. I dished it into a glass dish and it is in the oven now at 425 for 15 minutes. We will see if this is can be saved.
Sweet Basil
Hey Amy! Sorry for the confusion. It shouldn’t matter if you add the onion in step 1 or 3, but I changed it to just be added in step 3. Did you follow the instructions to pour the rice on top and just push it down enough to be submerged? It shouldn’t be completely stirred in. That will cause the burn notice.
Julie Ross
I had to adjust my meal plan today when I realized my potatoes went bad. I came across this recipe based on things i had in the house. I had jasmine rice, so I reduced the cooking time 1 minute. We don’t care for cream of mushroom, but I had cream of chicken. It would’ve been just as good with cream of celery or onion, which I often have on hand. I did not have the burnt food issue others have mentioned. Everyone here loves it! Will be cooking this a lot!
Sweet Basil
Yay! Thank you so much for the feedback Julie! Thanks for sharing all your tips for substitute too!
Jen B.
Just got my IP Nova Plus for Christmas and have been trying lots of different recipes. I too received the burn notice and the IP never pressurized. I followed the directions exactly. Very disappointed, this dish looks wonderful.
Sweet Basil
Were you doing the quick version or from scratch version? I am so sorry for the frustration! We have made this multiple times and have never had a problem so I’m trying to figure out what is going wrong for people.
Linda
Do you think you could freeze this recipe? Would you freeze, thaw and then cook? Or cook and then freeze and reheat?
Sweet Basil
Hi Linda! Yes, it can totally be frozen and then reheated. Cook it as stated in the instructions minus adding the cheese on top. Let it cool to room temperature and place it into a freezer safe container. It will be good for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Place it in a baking dish and add the cheese on top. Warm it up in the oven on 350 for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
Jill Thacker
Making this for supper. Can I use brown rice instead?
Sweet Basil
Absolutely! Add an extra half cup of water and it will need to cook for 20 minutes in the Instant Pot. Enjoy!
John
Burn notice… wasted all those ingredients… had to order Chinese instead… wouldn’t waste you time with this one, not worth the aggravation
Me
Yup
Me too
Mike
I constantly had the burn indicator as well. I doubled the recipe in an 8 quart pot. The last try I even tried adding another 5 cups of water and it still burned. Was really looking forward to it but after an hour and a half of messing around Jimmy John’s was ordered.
Lisa R
Loved it! Didn’thave onion so used powder and some extra Tony Chacere’s! I ate it with some buttered bread and no cheese even. Thanks!
Sweet Basil
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it and way to improvise!
Silvi
has anyone tried to freeze this to eat later?
Sweet Basil
Yes absolutely! Cook it completely without the cheese, and then allow it to cool completely. Then freeze it. Put the cheese on it and warm it up in the oven….350 degrees for about 30 minutes if you’re cooking from frozen. You could also let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then add the cheese and warm it up in the oven.
Kristopher Turner
I like the recipe. It was a good no hassle meal. I checked all of my seals prior to starting and also got the burn notice with quite a bit of scorched rice. Luckily I had quite a bit of extra ingredients on hand.
I cleaned out the pot and started over. This time, I mixed everything together except the rice. I poured the rice on top and gently submerged it under the top layer of liquid.
No burn notice. 👍🏼
Sweet Basil
Hi Kristoper! Yes, that is exactly what we do. I just looked at the post again and realized I wasn’t clear on that step. The recipe card and post has been updated. Thank you for your feedback!
Anna
I don’t know what happened, but my instant pot didn’t get a burn notice but it didn’t pressurize either! I ended up just taking the lid off and putting it back on saute for 15 minutes or so, stirring often, until the rice was cooked through. I included all the ingredients and stirred well and fully expected the recipe to work, but it didn’t. So weird.
Sweet Basil
That is so weird! I’ve never had that happen. Way to improvise!
Cat
I wouldn’t recommend the From Scratch version of this to anyone. We followed the exact instructions and used 90/10 ground beef. Sliced a carrot with zero instructions on when to add it. This all resulted in a burn notice from the instant pot. Dumped everything out and the entire bottom was completely scorched. Wasted time and ingredients on this not so well thought out recipe. My mistake for not reading the other reviews.
Sweet Basil
Hi Cat. I’m so sorry you had problems with this recipe. The sliced carrot goes in as part of step #6 when it says “add the ingredients to the pot”. We have made this dozens of times without any problems with the burn notice. If the instructions are followed precisely, there shouldn’t be any issues. There is plenty of liquid in the recipe to avoid the burn notice problem. Again, I apologize for the frustration!
Kimi
I had the same issue as the commenter below- My IP didn’t come to pressure and the bottom of the mixture scorched. I’m going to try to salvage by adding more liquid and trying to get it to pressurized.
Sweet Basil
Hi Kimi! I’m so sorry you had issue with the Instant Pot! We have made this dozens of times and have never had an issue. Did you use super lean ground beef? Was everything mixed thoroughly? There is plenty of liquid in this, so it shouldn’t be burning to the bottom.
Jamie
IP pressurized, then I received burn notice. Rice was scorched to the bottom. I emptied everything into a large mixing bowl, deglazed the pot, and tried again. Same result, THREE TIMES, plus the IP never again even pressurized. I followed the directions exactly and even added several extra cups of water. After over an hour and three deglazings, I gave up. This looks really good, but I don’t have the patience for it. 🙁
Sweet Basil
Did you put the rice on the top and just barely submerge it with a spoon?
Brooke
So my instapot had the burn signal and rice wasn’t cooked all the way and it stuck to the bottom. What can I do to fix this in the future? Thanks!
Sweet Basil
Hi Brooke! Not the dreaded burn notice! I haven’t had that happen with this recipe before. Make sure you have thoroughly stirred. There are also several tips about dealing with the burn notice on our healthy turkey chili post: https://ohsweetbasil.com/award-winning-healthy-turkey-instant-pot-chili-recipe/.
Debra Mathews
This happened to me too! I had to transfer to a different pan and finish on the stove!
Aud C.
Question on “cook on high pressure for 6 minutes” is that after pressure has been acheived? Or just 6 minutes without letting it get to full pressure? I always am confused on that part.
Sweet Basil
If you set your Instant Pot to high and then set it for 6 minutes, it will take several minutes to come to full pressure and then cook it for 6 minutes. Does that make sense?