Rice casserole

Casseroles are a staple of American home cooking, and rice casseroles are no exception. These hearty, one-dish meals are perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd. And while modern rice casseroles often include cheesy, creamy ingredients, the dish has humble beginnings.

The first rice casseroles were probably created out of necessity, as a way to stretch a small amount of rice to feed more people. Early recipes for rice casseroles often included vegetables and proteins like chicken or beef, making them a complete meal in one dish.

As home cooks began to experiment with different ingredients, rice casseroles became more and more creative. Today, there are endless variations of the dish, from classic comfort food recipes to international flavors.

Advice

When making a rice casserole, it's important to choose the right type of rice. Long grain rice is usually the best choice, but you can also use basmati or jasmine rice. Also, be sure to cook the rice until it's al dente - not too soft, not too hard. Then, add your other ingredients such as vegetables, protein, and seasonings. Finally, top with cheese or bread crumbs for a delicious crunch. Enjoy!

Questions

Do you cook rice before adding to casserole?

No, you do not need to cook the rice before adding it to a casserole dish. The casserole will cook the rice as it bakes in the oven.

What are 5 components of a casserole?

1. A base layer of cooked pasta, rice, or potatoes 2. A layer of cooked vegetables 3. A layer of cooked protein (such as chicken, beef, or tofu) 4. A creamy sauce 5. A crunchy topping (such as breadcrumbs, cheese, or nuts)

Can I use regular rice instead of Minute rice in a casserole?

Yes, you can use regular rice instead of Minute rice in a casserole. However, the cooking time for regular rice will be longer than for Minute rice. Be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Why isn't my rice cooking in my casserole?

There could be several reasons why your rice is not cooking properly. First, make sure you are using the correct type of rice and following the recipe correctly. The ratio of liquid to rice should be correct, and the cooking time and temperature should be accurate. If the layers of your casserole are too thick, the rice will not cook properly. Make sure to spread the ingredients evenly and adjust the cooking time accordingly. Additionally, it is important to use a tight-fitting lid to help the rice cook evenly. Lastly, be sure to stir the casserole occasionally to help the rice cook.

What happens if you don't Soak rice before cooking?

If you don't soak rice before cooking, it may not cook evenly and may produce a less desirable texture. It may also take longer to cook and may be more likely to burn and stick to the pan.

Do you simmer rice with lid on or off?

It is best to simmer rice with the lid on.

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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Chicken and Rice Casserole

  • salt
  • dill havarti cheese
  • grain white rice
  • plum tomato
  • parmesan cheese
  • sour cream
  • broccoli
  • chicken broth
  • rotisserie chicken
  • butter
  • garlic
  • green onion
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Best Broccoli Rice Casserole

  • black pepper
  • garlic
  • onion
  • parmesan cheese
  • mustard
  • salt
  • paprika
  • cayenne pepper
  • grain rice
  • cheddar cheese
  • milk
  • cream cheese
  • butter
  • all purpose flour
  • pimento
  • broccoli
  • cheese
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One-Pot Chicken and Rice Casserole

  • cheddar cheese
  • chicken
  • private selection thyme
  • carrot
  • onion
  • pea
  • grain white rice
  • evaporated milk
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • garlic
  • truth chicken broth
  • truth butter
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Broccoli Wild Rice Casserole

  • panko breadcrumb
  • white button
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • onion
  • heavy cream
  • all purpose flour
  • rice
  • parsley
  • carrot
  • celery
  • broccoli
  • chicken broth
  • butter
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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

  • sour cream
  • lemon juice
  • thyme
  • panko bread crumb
  • milk
  • poultry seasoning
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • butter
  • chicken soup campbells condensed cream
  • cheddar cheese
  • worcestershire sauce
  • chicken
  • broccoli
  • rice
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One Pot Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

  • brown sugar
  • oregano
  • olive oil
  • red bell pepper capsicum
  • onion
  • cheese
  • white rice
  • corn
  • coriander
  • cayenne pepper
  • cumin
  • onion powder
  • chicken broth
  • garlic
  • chicken breast
  • tomato passata
  • cilantro
  • salt
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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

  • cheddar cheese
  • cheddar cheese
  • butter
  • onion
  • rice
  • oregano
  • salt
  • sour cream
  • chicken broth
  • black pepper
  • chicken
  • cream cheese
  • bread crumb
  • parmesan cheese
  • garlic
  • broccoli
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Chicken and Rice Casserole

  • cooking spray
  • cheddar cheese
  • mushroom
  • pasteurized process cheese spread
  • chicken breast
  • butter
  • vegetable oil
  • broccoli cut
  • mushroom soup
  • bread crumb
  • onion
  • sour cream
  • black pepper
  • water chestnut
  • garlic
  • rice
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Emergency Chicken Rice Casserole

  • olive oil
  • garlic powder
  • vegetable
  • grain white rice
  • thyme
  • pepper
  • all purpose flour
  • cheese
  • butter
  • broccoli
  • garlic
  • green onion
  • chicken broth
  • milk
  • chicken thigh
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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

  • cheddar cheese
  • chicken breast
  • onion
  • rice
  • cajun creole seasoning
  • oil
  • milk
  • chicken broth
  • garlic
  • broccoli
  • butter
  • all purpose flour
  • salt
  • parsley
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Gluten-Free Chicken Rice Casserole

  • parsley
  • salt
  • milk
  • white grain rice
  • greek yogurt
  • black pepper
  • thyme
  • onion
  • parmesan cheese
  • pea
  • cheddar cheese
  • chicken broth
  • chicken
  • butter
  • cream cheese
  • mushroom
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Cheesy Broccoli, Chicken and Rice Casserole

  • salt
  • panko breadcrumb
  • broccoli crown
  • bay leaf
  • onion
  • celery
  • thyme
  • all purpose flour
  • nutmeg
  • cayenne pepper
  • cheddar cheese
  • chicken stock
  • grain rice
  • garlic
  • chicken breast
  • sour cream
  • butter
  • mushroom
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Cheesy Rice Casserole with Turkey

  • salt
  • nonstick spray
  • panko breadcrumb
  • sharp white cheddar
  • brussels sprout
  • onion
  • bell pepper
  • butter
  • rice
  • turkey breast
  • half
  • all purpose flour
  • chicken stock
  • sharp yellow cheddar
  • olive oil
  • carrot
  • carton sour cream
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Chicken and Rice Casserole

  • heavy cream
  • thyme
  • garlic powder
  • italian seasoning
  • salt
  • celery
  • onion
  • mushroom soup
  • parmesan cheese
  • black pepper
  • onion powder
  • paprika
  • butter
  • black pepper
  • white rice
  • chicken thigh
  • olive oil
  • chicken broth
  • garlic
  • parsley
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Chicken and Rice Casserole

  • milk
  • water
  • cheddar cheese
  • celery soup cream
  • chicken soup cream
  • mushroom soup
  • butter
  • black pepper
  • thyme
  • garlic powder
  • poultry seasoning
  • rice
  • chicken breast

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
butter
onion
black pepper
garlic
rice
cheddar cheese
chicken broth
broccoli
chicken breast
all purpose flour
thyme
milk
olive oil
grain white rice
mushroom
parsley
parmesan cheese
sour cream
cheese
garlic powder
mushroom soup
water
chicken stock
grain rice
chicken
celery
chicken thigh
green onion
bread crumb
bell pepper
paprika
almond
white rice
gruyère cheese
spinach
chicken soup cream
cayenne pepper
cream cheese
carrot
pea
panko breadcrumb
heavy cream
oregano
cilantro
mushroom soup condensed cream
dill
shallot
mustard
pimento
half
grain
worcestershire sauce
poultry seasoning
corn
coriander
onion powder
bay leaf
onion soup
italian seasoning
vegetable
celery soup cream
dill havarti cheese
plum tomato
rotisserie chicken
honeycrisp apple
white wine
batch onion soup
cheez whiz
red pepper flake
condensed
private selection thyme
evaporated milk
truth chicken broth
truth butter
white button
pimiento
tuna
lemon juice
panko bread crumb
chicken soup campbells condensed cream
clam juice
shrimp
pecan
bouillon granule
mozzarella cheese
brown sugar
red bell pepper capsicum
cumin
tomato passata
chicken soup condensed cream
italian dressing
turkey
lemon
cranberry
sherry
cultivated rice
cooking spray
pasteurized process cheese spread
vegetable oil
broccoli cut
water chestnut
french green bean
cream
tomato
ground beef
chili powder
tomato paste
pepper
cajun creole seasoning
oil
ham
white grain rice
greek yogurt
broccoli crown
nutmeg
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gouda cheese
pistacho
prosciutto
nonstick spray
sharp white cheddar
brussels sprout
turkey breast
sharp yellow cheddar
carton sour cream
sausage
black bean
salsa
broth
mexican cheese
taco seasoning
avocado
nutritional yeast

Insights

Correlated with Higher Ratings

  • mushroom
  • olive oil
  • broccoli

Staple Ingredients

  • salt 77%
  • butter 72%
  • onion 62%
  • black pepper 56%

Common Ingredients

  • garlic 49%
  • rice 44%
  • cheddar cheese 41%
  • chicken broth 41%
  • broccoli 36%
  • chicken breast 36%
  • all purpose flour 33%
  • thyme 31%

Usual Ingredients

  • milk 28%
  • olive oil 26%
  • parsley 23%
  • grain white rice 21%
  • mushroom 21%
  • cheese 15%
  • garlic powder 15%
  • mushroom soup 15%
  • parmesan cheese 15%
  • celery 13%
  • chicken 13%
  • chicken stock 13%
  • chicken thigh 13%
  • grain rice 13%
  • sour cream 13% See More
  • water 13%