Craving the classic, juicy flavor of a bacon cheeseburger but need a quick and satisfying weeknight meal? This Bacon Cheeseburger Rice recipe is your perfect solution. It transforms all the savory, cheesy, and smoky elements of America’s favorite burger into a simple, one-pot dish that your whole family will love. It’s hearty, packed with flavor, and comes together in under an hour, making it a true dinnertime champion.
Imagine perfectly cooked ground beef, crispy bacon, and fluffy rice, all simmered in a rich, tangy sauce and loaded with melted cheddar cheese. This dish is pure comfort food, reinvented. We’ve perfected this recipe to ensure it’s not just easy, but absolutely delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Bacon Cheeseburger Rice Recipe
This isn’t just another ground beef and rice recipe; it’s a complete game-changer for busy evenings. Here’s why it will become a staple in your meal rotation:
- One-Pot Wonder: Cleanup is a breeze! Everything cooks together in a single skillet, from browning the beef to simmering the rice.
- Family-Friendly Flavor: It has all the familiar tastes of a cheeseburger, making it an instant hit with both kids and adults.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in about 45 minutes, it’s the ideal meal for when you’re short on time but don’t want to compromise on taste. If you’re a fan of simple yet impressive dinners, you might also love our Marry Me Chicken recipe.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable to your family’s preferences. Add different toppings, try a new cheese, or even sneak in some extra veggies.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Cheeseburger Rice
The magic of this dish comes from using simple, high-quality ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this incredible meal to life.
For the Rice Skillet:
- Ground Beef: We recommend using 85/15 ground beef for the perfect balance of flavor and tenderness without being overly greasy.
- Bacon: Thick-cut bacon provides the best texture and a rich, smoky flavor that infuses the entire dish.
- Onion & Garlic: These aromatics create the essential flavor base. Finely diced yellow onion and freshly minced garlic are non-negotiable for deep, savory notes.
- Long-Grain White Rice: Be sure to use long-grain white rice, as it holds its shape and texture best in one-pot dishes.
- Beef Broth: This is our cooking liquid, adding a rich, savory depth that water alone can’t provide.
- Worcestershire Sauce: The secret ingredient that adds a deep, umami-packed tang, mimicking the classic burger flavor.
- Ketchup & Dijon Mustard: These classic burger condiments are stirred right in, creating that signature tangy and slightly sweet sauce.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese delivers the best “cheeseburger” flavor. Freshly shredded cheese is always best as it melts more smoothly.
Optional Toppings:
Get creative and top your bowls just like you would a burger! Consider adding diced dill pickles, chopped tomatoes, sliced red onion, or a drizzle of your favorite burger sauce.
How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Rice Step-by-Step
This one-pot process is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a flawless and flavorful meal.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about a tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned all over. Drain off any excess grease.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. Season generously with salt and pepper and cook for one minute to meld the flavors.
- Cook the Rice: Add the beef broth and uncooked rice to the skillet. Stir everything together, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Get Cheesy: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the cooked bacon until the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Serve and Garnish: Top the Bacon Cheeseburger Rice with the remaining cheese and bacon. Garnish with fresh parsley and your favorite burger toppings before serving hot.
Tips for Success
To make sure your cheeseburger rice is absolutely perfect every time, keep these simple tips in mind.
- Don’t Skip the Rinse: Rinsing your rice before cooking removes excess starch, which helps prevent it from becoming sticky and ensures a fluffier texture.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheeses are often coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting smoothly. For the best gooey, cheesy results, buy a block and shred it yourself.
- Let It Rest: After the rice is cooked, let the skillet sit, covered and off the heat, for about 5 minutes. This allows the rice to steam and become perfectly fluffy. For another fantastic rice-based dish, check out this Healthy Chicken and Rice Casserole.
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this Bacon Cheeseburger Rice recipe is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Spicy Cheeseburger Rice: Add a diced jalapeño along with the onion, or stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Mushroom Swiss Style: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions and swap the cheddar for Swiss cheese for a different, yet equally delicious, flavor profile.
- Turkey Burger Rice: For a lighter option, substitute the ground beef with ground turkey. You may need to add a little extra olive oil to the pan since turkey is leaner.
- Add Veggies: Boost the nutritional value by stirring in a cup of frozen peas and carrots during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers! Store any extra Bacon Cheeseburger Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave individual portions until hot, or gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat. You may want to add a splash of beef broth to loosen it up if it has thickened.
For those who love easy appetizers, consider trying these Jalapeño Popper Egg Rolls for your next gathering.
What to Serve with Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
While this is a complete meal on its own, you can easily round it out with a simple side dish. A fresh green salad, steamed broccoli, or roasted green beans would all be excellent choices to add a bit of freshness and color to your plate.
Yes, you can freeze this recipe. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Absolutely! You can prepare the entire dish, let it cool completely, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It reheats wonderfully in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For best results when reheating, add a splash of beef broth or water to the rice and heat it on the stovetop over low heat until warm.
This recipe is very versatile. Ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent leaner alternatives to ground beef. You may need to add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan to compensate for the lower fat content.
This dish is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs well with a simple side salad, steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans, or even a side of roasted asparagus.
Yes, you can freeze this recipe. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Absolutely! You can prepare the entire dish, let it cool completely, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It reheats wonderfully in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For best results when reheating, add a splash of beef broth or water to the rice and heat it on the stovetop over low heat until warm.
This recipe is very versatile. Ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent leaner alternatives to ground beef. You may need to add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan to compensate for the lower fat content.
This dish is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs well with a simple side salad, steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans, or even a side of roasted asparagus.
Enjoy This Cheesy, Meaty Delight!
This Bacon Cheeseburger Rice is the ultimate comfort food mashup, delivering all the flavors you love in an easy-to-make, one-pot package. It’s destined to become a new family favorite. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below. For more recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
Bacon Cheeseburger Rice: The Ultimate One-Pot Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 1 tbsp of grease in the skillet.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it apart and cooking until browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the beef broth and uncooked rice. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat. Stir in half of the shredded cheese and half of the crispy bacon until the cheese is fully melted.
- Top with the remaining cheese, bacon, and fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Rinse the rice before cooking to ensure it's fluffy and not sticky.
Feel free to top with diced pickles, tomatoes, or a drizzle of burger sauce.
