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.
Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole
Recipe: 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
Recipe: 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.
Wild Rice-and-Greens Casserole
Recipe: 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!
Shrimp Casserole
Recipe: Shrimp Casserole
Mix it up with this shrimp, rice and parmesan casserole—because shrimp doesn't always have to go in a casserole dish with pasta!
Crispy Chicken-and-Rice Casserole
Recipe: Crispy Chicken-and-Rice Casserole
Water chestnuts, almonds and celery add delicious crunch to this not-your-typical chicken and rice bake. Crushed cornflake cereal gives the ultimate crispy and crunchy top, too.
Baked Chicken and Rice With Black Beans
Recipe: Baked Chicken and Rice With Black Beans
This easy weeknight dish is teeming with tons of veggies added to rice, chicken, beans and cheese. It captures the great flavors of yellow rice, bell pepper, onion, and carrot, along with creamy monterey jack cheese and green chiles.
Cajun Shrimp Casserole
Recipe: 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.
Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole
Recipe: 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.
Oven Chicken Risotto
Recipe: Oven Chicken Risotto
Enjoying a delicious risotto doesn’t always mean things in the kitchen have to get difficult. This quick and easy chicken risotto combines delicious ingredients in a single baking dish and is ready in under an hour—with a little help of a pre-cooked, deli-roasted chicken. You’ll be enjoying creamy, homemade risotto in no time.
Chicken-and-Collards Pilau
Recipe: 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.
Chicken Casserole D'Iberville
Recipes: Chicken Casserole D'Iberville
This classic chicken casserole is baked with tried-and-true ingredients that churn out amazing flavor. Crushed crackers and French-fried onions top the dish for a buttery crunch.
Crawfish and Rice Casserole
Recipe: Crawfish and Rice Casserole
This creamy, cheesy dish is a delicious and easy weeknight meal. You can even substitute shrimp for crawfish if needed or desired.
Baked Rice with Butternut Squash
Recipe: Baked Rice with Butternut Squash
For a dish that is a definite crowd-pleaser, this baked rice with butternut squash is the way to go. Tender butternut squash and a tasty combination of herbs and cheese give this warm dish amazing flavor.
Okra and Rice Casserole
Recipe: 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.
Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice Bake
Recipe: Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice Bake
This creamy one-dish meal is super easy and gives a little kick thanks to the salsa and paprika. Corn, chicken and cheddar cheese round out the dish that's combined with cream of chicken soup—making for a quick weeknight dinner!
Baked Orange Chicken and Brown Rice
Recipe: Baked Orange Chicken and Brown Rice
This dish isn't complicated and gives a high-protein, whole-grain dinner for your family. Using chicken thighs make it budget-friendly—and helps them stay moist.
Chicken Enchilada Rice Bake
Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Rice Bake
This one-dish meal is bursting with flavor with green chiles, chopped tomatoes, cilantro and rotisserie chicken. Arranging corn tortillas to bake on the top adds crunch and festive flair!
Rice-and-Spinach Gratin with Dill
Recipe: Rice-and-Spinach Gratin with Dill
This creamy gratin dish is a great way to branch out, especially by using an herb such as dill that's sometimes overlooked. Ricotta cheese makes it deliciously decadent.
