The 34 Easy Rice Casserole Recipes for Big Hearty Meals On a Budget

Felicia Lim
·8 min read

Fiesta Taco Rice Casserole

I'm a huge, huge fan of rice. I love eating rice in every single form, whether in risotto, in rice bowls, as arancini, rice porridge, or even rice pudding! There's just something so comforting about the humble rice grain that you can use it in so many different recipes, and making a large rice casserole is no different! To get you inspired to fall in love with the dish as much as I do, I've gathered up 34 of the easiest rice casserole recipes. They're big on flavor but easy on the wallet.

Related: 39 Super Simple Rice Bowl Recipes

While white rice is usually more commonly used in casseroles, I find that the best rice for casseroles will depend on your preference. If you like a softer, starchier rice, white rice is probably your answer. However, if you prefer a healthier option with a bit more fiber, brown rice will be a better choice.

Depending on which type of rice you use, the liquid-to-rice ratio will vary. Ideally, you want to add enough water so that the rice doesn't dry out in the oven once it's baked. For white rice, use 2 parts water to 1 part rice. For brown rice, I would suggest using at least 3 to 4 parts water to 1 part rice.

Once your rice casserole is cooked, if you're not planning on eating it immediately or within the next few days, you can freeze it and enjoy later. To freeze, cover the rice casserole with foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag or large ziplock bag and freeze for up to three months. When you plan on eating it, thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat in the oven (loosely tented with foil) until it's ready.

From vegetarian options such as Broccoli, Cheddar and Rice Casserole and Vegan Chickpea and Rice Casserole, to options for meat lovers like Chicken Rice Casseroles, Ground Beef Rice Casseroles, Turkey and Rice Casseroles and Cowboy Rice Casserole, there's definitely a casserole option for every palette in this mix!

Here are the easiest rice casseroles for a hearty meal—with plenty of leftovers to boot. Browse through them, make sure to pin your favorites and get ready for a lot of cozy meals this fall.

Parade<p>This fiesta taco rice casserole brings together the flavors of tacos, salsa, and the side of rice all in one easy-to-make casserole. It’s perfect for any busy night, or when you’re craving Mexican food but are on a budget!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/842668/kristamarshall/fiesta-taco-rice-bake/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Fiesta Taco Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Fiesta Taco Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
Parade<p>Try this Red Beans & Rice Casserole, a bayou classic that gets an upgrade in the form of a cornbread topping. Add hot sauce to the beans to crank up the heat.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/842584/jocelynruggiero/red-beans-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Red Beans and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Red Beans and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
Parade<p>There is just so much flavor in this simple but delicious chicken on rice casserole.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/842000/kristamarshall/chicken-on-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Chicken on Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chicken on Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
The Diary of a Real Housewife<p>A classic recipe made in the slow cooker. This slow cooker chicken and rice casserole is made with a creamy chicken sauced cooked low and slow.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.thediaryofarealhousewife.com/slow-cooker-chicken-and-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
Yellow Bliss Road<p>Skillet garlic chicken and rice casserole is a simple go-to chicken dinner that is flavorful, and only uses one pan!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.yellowblissroad.com/skillet-garlic-chicken-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Skillet Garlic Chicken and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Skillet Garlic Chicken and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
Crumbs and Caramel<p>Making a delicious and healthy vegan meal does not get any easier than this Mexican inspired rice casserole. Perfect for busy weeknights and filled with the goodness of beans, corn and rice for a budget friendly plant-based dinner!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://crumbsandcaramel.com/easy-vegan-mexican-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Easy Vegan Mexican Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Easy Vegan Mexican Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This absolutely mouthwatering white chili rice casserole is entirely vegan, gluten free, and made in one pot. Super satisfying, creamy, and finger-licking good.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.contentednesscooking.com/white-chili-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:White Chili Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">White Chili Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This Greek chicken and rice casserole is about to be a big hit in your house!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://bevcooks.com/2015/10/greek-chicken-and-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Greek Chicken and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Greek Chicken and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This Italian sausage and rice casserole with peppers is a back-on-track, one-pan plan kind of meal. It’s healthy food you won’t be sad to eat, weeknight fast, and leaves you with only one dish to wash at the end.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.wellplated.com/sausage-and-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Italian Sausage and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Italian Sausage and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This dump-and-bake chickpea and rice casserole is easy and delicious! Made from only 10 plant-based ingredients, it delivers big flavor with minimal effort.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://frommybowl.com/vegan-chickpea-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Vegan Chickpea and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Vegan Chickpea and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This cheesy skillet cowboy rice casserole features, ground beef and chorizo sausage, diced peppers, sweet onion, pinto beans and corn.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.melissassouthernstylekitchen.com/skillet-cowboy-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Skillet Cowboy Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Skillet Cowboy Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This chicken and rice casserole is serious comfort food! My whole family loves how flavorful it is, and I love that it’s super simple to throw together for busy nights!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.bunsinmyoven.com/creamy-french-onion-chicken-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Creamy French Onion Chicken Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Creamy French Onion Chicken Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
Make dinner fun and flavorful with this Cajun shrimp and rice casserole recipe. This hearty, nutritious meal will be a new family favorite!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://wonkywonderful.com/cajun-shrimp-and-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cajun Shrimp and Rent Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cajun Shrimp and Rent Casserole</a></strong></p>
This cheesy and flavorful chicken enchilada rice casserole is made with cauliflower rice. It’s an easy dish that comes together in under an hour.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://kirbiecravings.com/chicken-enchilada-cauliflower-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Chicken Enchilada Cauliflower Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chicken Enchilada Cauliflower Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
Amazing rice casserole packed with the best flavors of beef enchiladas. This flavorful casserole is made with ground beef and bell pepper mixture, spices, homemade enchilada sauce, and topped with lots of cheese.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.willcookforsmiles.com/beef-enchilada-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Beef Enchilada Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Beef Enchilada Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
The best vegetarian mexican casserole recipe with bell pepper, corn, black beans, enchilada sauce, and cheese. A hearty and delicious vegetarian dinner recipe.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://buildyourbite.com/vegetarian-mexican-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Vegetarian Mexican Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Vegetarian Mexican Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This is a dump-and-bake chicken rice casserole with broccoli that’s made from scratch. It’s creamy, cheesy, comforting and tastes like a risotto but so much easier to make!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.recipetineats.com/emergency-chicken-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Emergency Chicken Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Emergency Chicken Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
A cozy and filling chicken and wild rice casserole made with butternut squash and cranberries. This easy and healthy chicken dinner is a winner every time!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.wellplated.com/chicken-and-wild-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole with Butternut Squash;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole with Butternut Squash</a></strong></p>
This cheesy ground beef and rice casserole is easy to make with pantry ingredients like cream of mushroom soup. Your family will love this quick dinner recipe!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://thecozycook.com/ground-beef-and-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
One-skillet Mexican rice casserole is an easy option for dinner with almost zero clean up. It’s gluten-free and can easily be made vegan too!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.makingthymeforhealth.com/one-skillet-mexican-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:One-Skillet Mexican Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">One-Skillet Mexican Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This Sicilian rice ball casserole takes one of my favorite appetizers (arancini) and turns it into a weeknight meal. Freezes well for make ahead meals and it’s also great for potlucks.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.skinnytaste.com/sicilian-rice-ball-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Sicilian Rice Ball Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Sicilian Rice Ball Casserole</a></strong></p>
No-peek chicken and rice casserole is full of comfort and tender, fall apart chicken overtopping a flavorful rice that makes this meal a family favorite! Baking to perfection with the warm, steam cooking the chicken and rice to perfection.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://therecipecritic.com/no-peek-chicken-and-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:No-Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">No-Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
Bacon ranch one-pot chicken and rice casserole - the easiest and most flavorful chicken and rice recipe ever! Packed full of juicy chicken, crisp bacon, ranch, rice, and gooey cheese!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/bacon-ranch-one-pot-chicken-and-rice/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Bacon Ranch One-Pot Chicken and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Bacon Ranch One-Pot Chicken and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This garden vegetable and brown rice casserole is a lighter and healthier alternative to the typical dinnertime side dish because it uses just a small amount of cheese, eggs and herbs to bind together the crust and garden vegetables.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://everydaydishes.com/simple-food-recipes/brown-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Garden Vegetable and Brown Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Garden Vegetable and Brown Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
Deliciously cheesy rice and vegetable casserole. A great go to casserole dish to feed a crowd! You can’t go wrong with this classic favorite vegetable side dish.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://buildyourbite.com/creamy-vegetable-and-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Creamy Vegetable and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Creamy Vegetable and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This cheesy ham and broccoli rice casserole is an easy-peasy weeknight dinner that's filled with extra veggies and ham!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://theskinnyishdish.com/cheesy-ham-and-broccoli-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
Chicken wild rice casserole with tender, flavorful chicken nestled in a bed of wild rice and mushrooms.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.savingdessert.com/chicken-wild-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Chicken Wild Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chicken Wild Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This taco cauliflower rice casserole is made with ground beef and cauliflower rice-filled layered in between grain-free tortillas! It’s gluten-free, and can easily be made dairy-free and paleo.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://unboundwellness.com/taco-cauliflower-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Taco Cauliflower Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Taco Cauliflower Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
Cheesy, comforting, and filling, zucchini rice casserole is going to become a favorite around any family table. It’s also a great use for leftover rice!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.rachelcooks.com/zucchini-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Healthy Zucchini Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Healthy Zucchini Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
With this creamy chicken and rice casserole skillet recipe, you can get all you need in one dish.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/creamy-chicken-and-rice-casserole-skillet-recipe/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This broccoli, cheddar and rice casserole is warm, filling, comforting and delicious, and best of all, it's economical and easily feeds a crowd!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.dishbydish.net/broccoli-cheddar-and-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Broccoli, Cheddar and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Broccoli, Cheddar and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This Southwest-inspired salsa verde chicken and rice casserole is filled with bite-sized chunks of juicy chicken, black beans, sweet corn, and tender rice in a cheesy salsa verde sauce!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://diethood.com/salsa-verde-chicken-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This chicken and rice casserole is so easy to make and tastes like a million bucks!<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.plainchicken.com/million-dollar-chicken-rice-casserole/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Million-Dollar Chicken and Rice Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Million-Dollar Chicken and Rice Casserole</a></strong></p>
This cauliflower rice casserole with chicken and broccoli is a perfect baby and toddler friendly family dinner. Have dinner on the table in less than an hour.<p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/cauliflower-rice-chicken-and-broccoli-casserole-keto-family/" rel="sponsored" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cauliflower Rice Casserole with Chicken and Broccoli;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cauliflower Rice Casserole with Chicken and Broccoli</a></strong></p>

Up next: Easy Chicken Casseroles to Feed a Crowd