Quick And Easy Rice Dressing Casserole
A hearty, flavorful rice casserole combining ground meat, vegetables, and creamy soup, baked to perfection—perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 1 can water ⓘ
- 1 stalk celery, diced ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped ⓘ
- 1 cup raw rice ⓘ
- 1 can onion soup ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 bell pepper, diced ⓘ
- 1/4 cup dried parsley ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon Crisco ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown ground meat in Crisco in a skillet.
- Add diced celery and bell pepper; cook until tender.
- Add cream of mushroom soup, water, onion soup, garlic, green onions, rice, red pepper, parsley, salt, and pepper; stir until mixture begins to boil.
- Remove from heat and pour into a greased 2-quart casserole dish.
- Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier flavor, consider using Italian sausage instead of ground beef or turkey. You can also swap the cream of mushroom soup for a homemade version or use cream of chicken for a different taste. If you prefer a vegetarian option, replace the meat with a mix of sautéed mushrooms and lentils. Adding some grated cheese on top before baking can enhance the creaminess.
Serving Suggestions
This Quick And Easy Rice Dressing Casserole pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. You could also serve it alongside Cheesy Picnic Potatoes for a comforting dinner. For a bit of crunch, a side of garlic bread or cornbread would complement the flavors nicely.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave individual portions or place the casserole back in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through. If the casserole seems dry, add a splash of water or broth before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Quick And Easy Rice Dressing Casserole contains roughly 117 calories, with 5g protein, 22g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (136% of the Daily Value) and iron (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1555mg per serving (68% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can substitute brown rice for white rice, but you will need to adjust the cooking time. Brown rice typically requires a longer cooking time, so you may need to add extra water and bake the casserole for an additional 15-20 minutes.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make this casserole vegetarian, simply omit the ground meat and replace it with sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or even a mix of your favorite vegetables. You can also use vegetable broth instead of water for added flavor.
What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup?
If you don't have cream of mushroom soup on hand, you can use any other cream soup such as cream of chicken or cream of celery. Alternatively, you can make a homemade version using a roux, vegetable broth, and sautéed mushrooms for a fresh taste.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).