Wedding Casserole
A comforting layered casserole featuring fresh vegetables, rice, and sharp Cheddar cheese, perfect for family dinners and vegetable lovers seeking hearty, flavorful comfort food.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Slice all vegetables thinly.
- In a 2-quart casserole, layer half of the sliced vegetables.
- Add half of the raw rice evenly over the vegetables.
- Season with salt, black pepper, oregano, basil, thyme, sage, tarragon, and chives.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining vegetables and rice.
- Pour half and half evenly over the layered vegetables.
- Sprinkle grated Cheddar cheese on top.
- Cover and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender and cheese is bubbly and golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier dish, consider adding cooked ground meat or beans for protein. You can substitute the half and half with a plant-based milk alternative for a lighter option. If you're short on time, pre-cooked rice can be used instead of raw rice, reducing baking time. Fresh herbs can be swapped for dried ones if needed, just use less since dried herbs are more concentrated.
Serving Suggestions
This Wedding Casserole pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or crusty bread for a complete meal. For a festive touch, serve alongside a light white wine. It's a great dish for potlucks or family gatherings, and as the name suggests, it's perfect for celebrations where there'S Hardly Ever Any Left.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 20-25 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, but be sure to cover them to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Wedding Casserole contains roughly 466 calories, with 14g protein, 72g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (137% of the Daily Value), iron (89% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (82% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1365mg per serving (59% 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 different vegetables in this casserole?
Absolutely! You can customize this dish with your favorite vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, or spinach. Just ensure that the vegetables you choose have similar cooking times to those listed to ensure everything cooks evenly.
Is this casserole suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this Wedding Casserole is vegetarian-friendly as it contains no meat. It's a great option for those following vegetarian recipes, and you can enhance the flavors with additional vegetable broth or cheese for added richness.
Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day in advance. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake. If baking from the refrigerator, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated through.
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).