Description
Turn leftover rice into a delicious and satisfying family dinner with this Leftover Rice Casserole. This easy casserole combines fluffy cooked rice with vegetables, a creamy savory sauce, and plenty of melted cheese, then bakes until hot, bubbly, and golden. It’s a comforting, budget-friendly recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights and a great way to give leftover rice a delicious makeover.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked leftover rice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cooked vegetables, such as broccoli, peas, carrots, or corn
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
3. Make the Creamy Mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
4. Combine the Ingredients
Add the leftover rice, cooked chicken, vegetables, sautéed onion, and garlic to the bowl. Stir until everything is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
5. Add the Cheese
Fold in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
6. Bake the Casserole
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and mozzarella over the top. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
7. Serve
Let the Leftover Rice Casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy warm.
Recipe Tips
- Use any cooked rice you have on hand, including white, brown, or jasmine rice.
- This recipe is perfect for leftover roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken.
- Add mushrooms, broccoli, peas, corn, or bell peppers for extra vegetables.
- For a richer casserole, add an extra handful of shredded cheese on top.
- If your leftover rice is very dry, add a splash of extra chicken broth before baking.
- Make it vegetarian by replacing the chicken with extra vegetables or cooked beans.
