23 Rice Casserole Recipes For When We Need A Little Comfort
Consider them a hug in a baking dish.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
To this day, when I'm feeling tired, stressed, or just down in the dumps, one of the things I crave most is my mother's chicken and rice. Made with chicken breasts, plain white rice, and yes—cream of mushroom soup—it's a simple, humble dish that delivers big comfort when I need it the most.
Rice is a Southern never-fail staple that can be used in countless ways to create quick and easy meals, fancy dishes, and everything in between. You can make it creamy, spicy, crispy, or sweet—there''s no end to its versatility. That's why it also comes in handy when making casseroles or baked dishes that take less clean-up and, often, less time. This grain forms a solid base for some of our favorite dishes, adding heft and making an all-in-one meal blissfully easy to pull off.
If your mama's not around to make your favorite rice dish, give one of these recipes a try. You might just discover a new family favorite!
Lightened-Up Chicken-Broccoli Casserole
This simple, healthier casserole uses microwavable rice as its starch.
Skillet Stuffed Peppers
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Italian sausage and jarred marinara make these comforting stuffed peppers easy to whip up on a weeknight.
Chicken-And-Rice Bake With Broccolini
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Leggier than broccoli, broccolini is a tasty way to upgrade your classic chicken-broccoli casserole recipe for company.
Chicken-And-Rice Casserole
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Don't let the canned soup fool you — this recipe is packed with fresh vegetables and herbs. Many of the ingredients are probably in your pantry right now.
One-Pot Chicken Thighs and Potlikker Rice
Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Use your leftover collard greens and potlikker to create this incredibly comforting dish with ease.
Creamy Artichoke, Kale, and Rice Gratin
Spinach-artichoke dip, but make it with kale and make it dinner.
Chicken And Stuffing Casserole
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
The traditional version of this casserole bakes the chicken into the casserole, but laying the chicken breasts on top allows the stuffing to absorb the chicken juices and fat.
Buffalo Ranch Chicken-Broccoli Casserole
Each bite of this buffalo ranch chicken-broccoli casserole might as well be a ranch-dunked buffalo wing. Hot sauce pairs beautifully with melty cheddar and tender carrots.
Mushroom and Thyme Chicken-Broccoli Casserole
This recipe elevates a simple broccoli and cheese casserole by throwing in rich, sophisticated flavors. With elegant Italian notes coming from the mushroom and thyme, this casserole is a perfect dinner dish.
Sheet Pan Broccoli-and-Chicken Casserole
If the crunchy top of a casserole is your favorite part, this recipe is for you. A sheet pan makes the top even crunchier and yummier.
Oven-Baked Risotto with Ham, Leeks, and Peas
A dutch oven makes this infamously difficult recipe a breeze, allowing you to focus on other aspects of the meal.
Crispy Onions and Parmesan Chicken-Broccoli Casserole
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
This lightened-up casserole is perfect for a busy weeknight. With just 20 minutes of active time and rich flavors that anyone will love, this recipe is as simple as it is delicious.
Savannah Red Rice Recipe
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox
The defining dish of the Georgia coast, this savory and spicy dish is a bright pilaf-style meal that can work as a main dish or side.
Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole
Using fresh ingredients is the trick to taking this dish to the next level, with only sacrificing a little more time, while crispy panko gives a yummy crunch!
Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole
This dish is perfect for the holidays (or anytime!). You can make it ahead and freeze for up to one month, or prepare it in charming individual ramikens. The toasted almonds on top give a warm touch to finish it off.
Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole
This ain't your mama's chicken casserole. This chicken, mushroom, and sage baked casserole has a unique flavor from fresh mushrooms, chopped shallots and garlic. Sage adds warmth to the dish, while a bit of sherry gives a distinctive, nutty and sweet flavor.
Chicken-and-Collards Pilau
Throwing some rice, chicken and collards together? Can't get more Southern than that. This savory one-pot meal is full of tasty ingredients like quick-cooking basmati rice, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, collard greens, and Cajun smoked sausage.
One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice
If you need an easy meal that doesn't sacrifice any flavor, this one-pan hot honey chicken and rice dinner is the perfect place to start. With easy clean up and leftovers, this recipe is sure to stay in your weeknight rotation.
Okra and Rice Casserole
Although okra is downright delicious deep-fried, it's more versatile than given credit for. This baked dish is easy to make, but it features a huge amount of flavor from tender sautéed okra, sweet corn, Cajun spices, and buttery garlic breadcrumbs.
Jessica Harris' Red Rice
With tomato, bacon, and green bell peppers, this rice bake is full of dynamic flavors.
Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole
Chicken and wild rice work together to turn this one-skillet dish into a full meal.
Wild Rice-and-Greens Casserole
This versatile dish can be made with your favorite green, whether it be kale, collards or spinach; but we prefer chopped kale, as it gives a great texture. Added plus: you get your casserole fix with the benefit of a superfood ingredient!
Cajun Shrimp Casserole
This hearty seafood casserole is filled with fresh shrimp, cheese and rice (and a little white wine!). Fresh okra, crunchy bell peppers, and a healthy dose of cayenne pepper give it a spicy Cajun flair.
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