Bacon Cheeseburger Rice 🍔🥓🧀
This Bacon Cheeseburger Rice turns classic burger flavors into a quick, comforting skillet dinner. Seasoned ground beef, smoky bacon, tender rice, tangy pickles, tomatoes, and plenty of melted cheddar come together in one hearty meal.
It is ideal for busy weeknights because it uses simple ingredients, requires minimal cleanup, and can be customized with your family’s favorite cheeseburger toppings.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy one-pan family dinner
- Loaded with bacon and melted cheese
- Budget-friendly ingredients
- Rich cheeseburger flavor
- Simple enough for busy weeknights
- Easy to customize
- Great for meal prep
- Delicious leftovers
Ingredients
Rice Skillet
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces, drained
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup diced dill pickles
- 2 green onions, sliced
Optional Garnishes
- Extra crumbled bacon
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Sliced pickles
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Burger sauce
- Chopped parsley
Equipment
- Large deep skillet with a lid
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
1. Cook the Bacon
Place the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat.
Cook until crisp, stirring occasionally.
Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the skillet.
2. Brown the Beef
Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened.
Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small crumbles.
Drain excess grease if necessary.
3. Add the Cheeseburger Seasoning
Stir in:
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
Cook for 1 to 2 minutes so the flavors blend into the beef.
4. Add the Rice
Stir the uncooked rice into the beef mixture.
Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to lightly toast the rice.
5. Simmer
Pour in the beef broth and add the drained tomatoes.
Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet.
Simmer for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Avoid lifting the lid too often while the rice cooks.
6. Add Cheese and Bacon
Remove the skillet from the heat.
Stir in:
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar
- Most of the cooked bacon
- Diced pickles
Mix until the cheese melts and the rice becomes creamy.
7. Finish the Skillet
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and bacon over the top.
Cover for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
Garnish with green onions, extra pickles, tomatoes, or burger sauce.
Serve hot.
Tips for the Best Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
- Use long-grain white rice for the most reliable cooking time.
- Drain excess beef grease so the finished dish is not oily.
- Keep the skillet covered while the rice simmers.
- Add the pickles after cooking so they keep their tangy flavor.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than packaged shredded cheese.
- Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes before serving if the rice looks slightly loose.
Easy Variations
Deluxe Cheeseburger Rice
Top each serving with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickles, and burger sauce.
Spicy Version
Add jalapeños, cayenne pepper, pepper jack cheese, or hot sauce.
Mushroom Swiss
Add sautéed mushrooms and replace the cheddar with Swiss cheese.
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger
Replace the ketchup with barbecue sauce and add crispy fried onions.
Pickle Lover’s Version
Add extra diced pickles and a tablespoon of pickle juice.
Vegetable-Packed Version
Add diced bell peppers, corn, mushrooms, or peas.
Homemade Burger Sauce
Mix together:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles
- 1 teaspoon pickle juice
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
What to Serve with Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
This skillet is filling on its own, but it pairs well with:
- Garden salad
- Roasted broccoli
- Green beans
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the cob
- Cucumber tomato salad
- Pickle spears
- Garlic bread
- Fresh fruit
Make-Ahead Instructions
Cook the recipe as directed, allow it to cool, and refrigerate it in an airtight container.
For the freshest texture, keep lettuce, tomatoes, extra pickles, and sauce separate until serving.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Because the recipe contains cooked rice and meat, refrigerate leftovers promptly after the meal.
Freezing
Allow the rice mixture to cool completely.
Transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
The pickles are best added fresh after reheating.
Reheating
Stovetop: Reheat over medium-low heat with a splash of beef broth or water.
Microwave: Heat individual portions for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Oven: Cover and bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use instant rice?
Yes, but reduce the broth and follow the cooking time listed on the rice package. Add instant rice after the beef mixture has simmered.
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, but brown rice requires more liquid and a longer cooking time. Check the package directions and adjust accordingly.
Can I use ground turkey?
Absolutely. Ground turkey or ground chicken works well as a lighter alternative.
Can I use cooked rice?
Yes. Use about 4½ cups cooked rice and reduce the broth to approximately ½ cup. Stir the rice in after seasoning the beef and heat until warmed through.
What cheese works best?
Sharp cheddar gives the strongest cheeseburger flavor. Colby Jack, American-style cheese, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack also work well.
Why is my rice still firm?
The skillet may have lost too much steam, the heat may have been too low, or the rice may need more liquid. Add a small amount of warm broth, cover, and continue cooking.
Why is the dish watery?
The rice may need a few more minutes to cook, or the tomatoes may not have been drained well. Let the skillet rest uncovered briefly so excess moisture can evaporate.
Can I leave out the bacon?
Yes. The recipe will still be flavorful without it.
Can I add cream cheese?
Yes. Stir in 3 to 4 ounces of softened cream cheese for a richer, creamier skillet.
Can I make it in a casserole dish?
Yes. Prepare the beef mixture, combine it with cooked rice, top with cheese and bacon, then bake at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes.
Pro Tips
- Crisp the bacon first and use a little of the drippings to flavor the beef.
- Toast the rice briefly before adding broth for better flavor.
- Use low-sodium beef broth so you can control the salt.
- Do not stir the rice constantly while it simmers.
- Add cold toppings only after cooking.
- Reserve some bacon and cheese for the top.
- Taste the mixture before adding extra salt because bacon, broth, and cheese are already salty.
- Serve burger sauce on the side so everyone can add their preferred amount.
- Garnish just before serving for the freshest presentation.
- Double the recipe in two skillets when feeding a larger crowd.
Final Thoughts
This Bacon Cheeseburger Rice is an easy way to enjoy the flavors of a loaded cheeseburger without making individual burgers. With seasoned beef, crispy bacon, tender rice, tangy pickles, tomatoes, and melted cheddar, it creates a warm and satisfying family dinner in one skillet.
