This bacon cheeseburger rice skillet is loaded with beef, bacon, cheese, and simple pantry staples. It’s a one pan dinner everyone loves.

You may also love my rotel pasta and taco rice bake.

Crumbled bacon on cheeseburger casserole.

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Bacon Cheeseburger Rice Skillet

Some nights call for a meal with lots of flavor with as little effort as humanly possible. That’s when I make this bacon cheeseburger casserole.

It’s made in one pan, is loaded with cheesy, beefy goodness, and yes, it disappears like you spent hours in the kitchen.

It’s made with the basics I always have like ground beef, crispy bacon, instant rice, and a few condiments for that classic cheeseburger flavor.

There are no fancy ingredients, and most importantly there’s no extra grocery run. And because it all cooks in one skillet, cleanup is a breeze.

Overhead view of cheesy bacon cheeseburger casserole.

What You’ll Need

Bacon for the smoky, salty flavor.
Ground beef for the base.
Seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, and burger seasoning.
Tomato sauce, ketchup, and mustard for that classic cheeseburger taste.
Rice and beef broth to make it hearty.
Cheese to pull it all together and give it a cheesy, melted layer on top.

How to Make It

Here’s how I make this one pan skillet meal (the full, printable recipe is further down the page):

In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, but leave a little bacon grease in the pan.

Add the ground beef and cook until no pink remains. Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, and burger seasoning.

Rice, tomato sauce, and broth added to seasoned ground beef.

Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, rice, and broth. Let it simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed.

Stir in half the cheese and bacon. Sprinkle the rest on top. Cover the skillet for a few minutes so the cheese melts from the steam.

Scoop into bowls and serve warm.

Bacon and cheese added to ground beef and rice skillet.

Shredded cheese added to cheeseburger rice skillet.

Quick Tip

Swap the instant rice (Minute Rice) with another type of rice. You’ll need to adjust the amount of liquid and cook time based on the variety of rice you’re using.

Substitutions and Variations

This skillet recipe is pretty forgiving, so here’s how I swap things out based on what I have on hand:

Rice: Use white rice or brown rice if you want, but be warned—it takes longer to cook.
Protein: Ground turkey, ground chicken, or shredded chicken all work well.
Cheese: Cheddar cheese is classic, but Colby Jack, pepper jack, or mozzarella melt just as well.
Add-ins: Bell peppers, mushrooms, or even jalapeños if you want to add some spice.
Sauces: Out of ketchup? Barbecue sauce changes things up without ruining dinner.
Seasoning: If you don’t have burger seasoning, use seasoning salt instead.

Close up view of bacon cheeseburger skillet.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can (kind of). Cook everything except the cheese topping. Store in the fridge, then reheat and add the cheese when you’re ready to serve.

What sides go well with this casserole?

A simple green salad, some roasted vegetables, or cheesy garlic bread all pair nicely.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.

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