Our Favorite Rice Bake Recipes for When We Need a Little Comfort

Rice, a Southern staple, comes in handy when making casseroles or baked dishes that take are quick and easy. This starch forms a solid base for some of our favorite dishes, adding heft and making an all-in-one meal shockingly easy to pull off. Our Lightened-Up Chicken-Broccoli Casserole is the healthier dinner option your family will love; Jessica Harris' Red Rice packs lots of big flavors into one casserole dish. And we have a feeling that our Chicken-and-Collards Pilau will be a new staple in your repertoire.

Rice is a Southern never-fail staple that can be used in countless ways to create quick and easy meals, fancy and intricate dishes, and everything in between. You can make it creamy, spicy, crispy or sweet—there's just no end to its versatility. We can't help but love it. That's why it also comes in handy when making casseroles or baked dishes that take less clean-up and, often, less time. Here are some baked rice recipes that we are simply loving right now.