Delicious Vegetable Rice Casserole Recipe

Looking for a hearty and satisfying dish that’s loaded with vegetables and cheese? Look no further than this scrumptious Vegetable and Rice Casserole recipe! This comforting casserole is a perfect blend of creamy, cheesy goodness and wholesome veggies, making it a crowd-pleaser for both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Cooking up a batch of this Vegetable and Rice Casserole is a surefire way to get your family devouring their veggies without complaints. Packed with carrots, peas, broccoli, and a mix of flavorful cheeses, this dish strikes the ideal balance between indulgent comfort food and a wholesome meal. The creamy mushroom soup base ties everything together perfectly, creating a dish that’s as delicious as it is satisfying.

Whether you’re serving this casserole as a filling vegetarian main course or as a side dish at a gathering, you can count on its cheesy, veggie-packed goodness to please a crowd. With tips on ingredient swaps and storage options for leftovers, this recipe is a versatile addition to your menu rotation. Get ready to enjoy a dish that’s as comforting as it is flavorful with this delectable Vegetable and Rice Casserole!

Quick Benefits

• Provides a balanced meal with carbs, fiber, vitamins, protein, and fat
• Great for vegetarians as a filling main course or for mixed gatherings
• Leftovers taste even better the next day, with flavors blending nicely
• Versatile recipe – customize with different proteins, vegetables, cheeses, or spices

Why You’ll Love This Delicious Vegetable Rice Casserole Recipe Recipe

• Vegetable-Packed Comfort Food: This casserole is a delicious way to enjoy a variety of vegetables in a comforting and satisfying dish that feels like indulgent comfort food.
• Kid-Friendly Dish: Perfect for picky eaters or kids who are reluctant to eat their veggies, this casserole cleverly hides nutritious vegetables under a blanket of creamy sauce and cheesy goodness.
• Meatless Main Course: A substantial vegetarian main dish option that is sure to please vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, making it a versatile addition to any meal rotation.
• Make-Ahead and Potluck Friendly: Ideal for meal prep and gatherings, this casserole can be made ahead of time and travels well, maintaining its heat and flavor, making it a convenient option for potlucks and holiday gatherings.
• Balanced Meal: Provides a well-rounded meal with carbohydrates from rice, fiber and vitamins from vegetables, and protein and fat from cheese, offering a balanced and satisfying dining experience.
• Enhanced Flavors: The use of fresh ingredients like grated cheese and parsley, along with proper cooking techniques, ensures a flavorful and creamy result that is far superior to using pre-shredded cheese and skipping cooking steps.
• Customizable and Adaptable: Easily adaptable to personal preferences or dietary restrictions, allowing for variations such as adding meat, changing soup flavors, trying different vegetable combinations, or incorporating heat with spices.
• Leftover Perfection: Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together, providing a delicious and convenient option for subsequent meals, making it a great dish to enjoy throughout the week.

Ingredients for Delicious Vegetable Rice Casserole Recipe

For the Base

• 1 tsp salt
• 3½ cups carrots, peeled and diced
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 3 cups uncooked instant brown rice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 8 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium yellow onions, diced

For the Casserole

• 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz each)
• 10 oz frozen peas
• 10 oz frozen broccoli florets
• ¾ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2½ cups freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided

How to Make Delicious Vegetable Rice Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Cook Your Rice

Prepare 3 cups of dry instant brown rice according to package instructions. Set aside once cooked. Note: Instant rice and regular rice have different yields, so ensure you use instant rice.

Step 2: Start the Veggies

Combine diced onions, minced garlic, carrots, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Soften the Carrots

Continue cooking for 10-15 minutes until the carrots are tender and the onions are translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 4: Add the Rest

Add frozen peas, frozen broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, parmesan, and cheddar cheese to the pot. Stir over medium heat until heated through, about 10-12 minutes.

Step 5: Mix in Rice and Parsley

Combine the cooked rice and chopped parsley in the skillet, stirring until well mixed.

Step 6: Transfer to Baking Dish

Prepare a 9 by 13 inch casserole dish by greasing it. Transfer the vegetable and rice mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 7: Add the Cheese Topping

Evenly spread the remaining 1 cup of parmesan and 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top of the casserole.

Step 8: Bake Until Bubbly

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Allow to cool briefly before serving.

Storage Tips

Once the vegetable and rice casserole is prepared and served, storing any leftovers properly is essential to maintain freshness and flavor. Leftover casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container or with the baking dish tightly covered with foil. When reheating, individual portions can be microwaved for about 2 minutes until heated through, or the whole dish can be reheated covered with foil in a 350-degree oven for approximately 25 minutes. The flavors of the casserole actually meld together and improve when stored overnight, making leftovers a tasty option for the next day.

For longer storage, the vegetable and rice casserole freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months either before or after baking. To freeze unbaked casserole, assemble it completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze. Thaw the frozen unbaked casserole in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed, adding a few extra minutes of baking time since it starts cold. If freezing already baked portions, wrap them individually in plastic wrap for convenient single servings that can be reheated straight from frozen. Proper storage and reheating techniques ensure that you can enjoy this delicious casserole even after it has been made ahead of time or stored for later consumption.

Ingredient Substitutions

For a vegan version of this Vegetable and Rice Casserole, you can replace the cream of mushroom soup with a vegan cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup available at most grocery stores. Additionally, you can substitute the cheese with a dairy-free alternative, like vegan cheddar or mozzarella shreds, to achieve a similar cheesy flavor and texture. To add a savory umami flavor in place of the parmesan cheese, consider sprinkling some nutritional yeast on top before baking.

If you prefer a gluten-free option, ensure the cream of mushroom soup and any other canned ingredients are gluten-free. For the breadcrumb topping, use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers mixed with melted dairy-free butter. You can also use a gluten-free wild rice blend in place of brown rice for added flavor and texture variation. Remember to check all labels for hidden sources of gluten when making substitutions.

Serving Suggestions

For a creative serving suggestion, try turning this vegetable and rice casserole into individual baked rice cups. Simply scoop the casserole mixture into greased muffin tins, top with a sprinkle of extra cheese, and bake until golden and bubbly. These portable and portion-controlled servings are perfect for picnics, lunchboxes, or as a fun appetizer at parties.

Another idea is to use the vegetable and rice casserole as a filling for stuffed bell peppers. Cut the tops off bell peppers, remove the seeds and membranes, then stuff them with the casserole mixture. Top with additional cheese, cover with foil, and bake until the peppers are tender. This creative twist adds a colorful and nutritious element to the dish, making it a visually appealing and satisfying meal.

FAQs for Delicious Vegetable Rice Casserole Recipe

Can I use regular brown rice instead of instant brown rice in this casserole?

Using instant rice is crucial for this recipe because the cooking time for regular rice is different, and regular rice would remain crunchy when baked. It’s best to stick with instant rice to ensure the casserole cooks properly.

Is it necessary to sauté the carrots before adding them to the casserole?

Yes, it is important to sauté the carrots until they start to soften before adding other ingredients. Carrots take longer to cook compared to peas or broccoli, so pre-cooking them ensures they are not hard and crunchy in the finished casserole.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese instead of freshly grated cheese in this recipe?

While you can use pre-shredded cheese, freshly grating your own cheese makes a significant difference in how smoothly it melts compared to pre-shredded cheese. The texture and creaminess of the cheese sauce will be much better with freshly grated cheese.

How can I customize this vegetable and rice casserole to suit different preferences?

You can customize this casserole by adding cooked chicken or sausage for meat-eaters, using cream of chicken soup instead of mushroom, trying different vegetable combinations, using different cheese blends, adding beans for extra protein, incorporating spices for heat, or using alternative grains like wild rice blend. These variations allow you to tailor the dish to different tastes and dietary needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Vegetable and Rice Casserole is a versatile and comforting dish that brings together the goodness of vegetables, creamy sauce, and cheesy goodness in a single bite. Whether you’re catering to picky eaters or looking for a hearty vegetarian main course, this casserole delivers on flavor and satisfaction. The beauty of this dish lies in its adaptability – feel free to customize it with your favorite ingredients to suit your taste preferences.

So gather your loved ones around the table, serve up generous portions of this Vegetable and Rice Casserole, and bask in the warmth and joy that a delicious homemade meal brings. With its make-ahead convenience, leftovers that taste even better the next day, and endless variations to explore, this casserole is sure to become a staple in your cooking repertoire. Embrace the simplicity and heartiness of this dish, and let it nourish both body and soul with every comforting bite.

Delicious Vegetable Rice Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Vegetable and Rice Casserole: A comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that sneaks in a bounty of veggies under a layer of gooey cheese.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time15 Minutes

Cook Time40 Minutes

Total Time55 Minutes

CuisineAmerican

Skill LevelEasy

Servings10 Servings

Ingredients

For the Base

• 1 tsp salt
• 3½ cups carrots, peeled and diced
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 3 cups uncooked instant brown rice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 8 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium yellow onions, diced

For the Casserole

• 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz each)
• 10 oz frozen peas
• 10 oz frozen broccoli florets
• ¾ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2½ cups freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided

Instructions

1. Cook Your Rice: Prepare 3 cups of dry instant brown rice according to package instructions. Set aside once cooked. Note: Instant rice and regular rice have different yields, so ensure you use instant rice.
2. Start the Veggies: Combine diced onions, minced garlic, carrots, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
3. Soften the Carrots: Continue cooking for 10-15 minutes until the carrots are tender and the onions are translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
4. Add the Rest: Add frozen peas, frozen broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, parmesan, and cheddar cheese to the pot. Stir over medium heat until heated through, about 10-12 minutes.
5. Mix in Rice and Parsley: Combine the cooked rice and chopped parsley in the skillet, stirring until well mixed.
6. Transfer to Baking Dish: Prepare a 9 by 13 inch casserole dish by greasing it. Transfer the vegetable and rice mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.
7. Add the Cheese Topping: Evenly spread the remaining 1 cup of parmesan and 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top of the casserole.
8. Bake Until Bubbly: Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Allow to cool briefly before serving.