Wild Rice And Meatball Casserole
A hearty casserole combining wild rice, savory meatballs, vegetables, and rich mushroom sauce, perfect for comforting family dinners or special gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs ⓘ
- 3/4 cup milk ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 2 pounds ground chuck ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons salad oil ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 1 can water ⓘ
- 1/2 cup white wine ⓘ
- 3 chopped pimentos
- 1 cup chopped pitted ripe olives ⓘ
- 1 1/4 cups uncooked wild rice ⓘ
- 1 cup grated Swiss cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Measure wild rice (uncooked) and cook according to package directions; set aside.
- Combine bread crumbs, milk, salt, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl.
- Let the mixture stand a few minutes to absorb flavors.
- Add ground chuck to the mixture and mix well.
- Form the mixture into meatballs.
- Heat salad oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Brown the meatballs on all sides in hot oil.
- Remove browned meatballs from the pan and set aside.
- Add chopped celery and onion to the drippings in the pan and brown lightly.
- Add cream of mushroom soup, water, white wine, chopped pimentos, and chopped olives.
- Stir in the cooked wild rice.
- Fold in the meatballs into the rice and sauce mixture.
- Simmer until heated through and flavors meld.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider incorporating fresh herbs like thyme or parsley into the meatball mixture. If you don’t have ground chuck, ground turkey or chicken can be used as a lighter alternative. You could also substitute the Swiss cheese with cheddar for a sharper taste. If wild rice is unavailable, brown rice can be a great substitute, though cooking times may vary.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty casserole with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. It pairs beautifully with a light vinaigrette to complement the rich flavors. For an even heartier option, consider serving it alongside a warm slice of Baked Onion Casserole. Enjoy it as a comforting family dinner or as a potluck dish.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick meal, but be sure to cover to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Wild Rice And Meatball Casserole contains roughly 771 calories, with 20g protein, 92g carbohydrates, and 31g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (45% of the Daily Value), protein (39% of the Daily Value), and calcium (31% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2159mg per serving (94% 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 make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to brown and add them to the casserole. This can save time on busy weeknights while still providing a delicious home-cooked meal.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, substitute the ground chuck with a plant-based meat alternative or finely chopped mushrooms and lentils. You can also replace the cream of mushroom soup with a homemade or store-bought vegetarian cream soup to maintain the dish's creamy texture.
What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup?
If you prefer not to use canned soup, you can make a quick homemade version by sautéing mushrooms and onions in butter, then thickening with flour and adding vegetable broth and cream. This will give you a similar creamy texture and flavor without the preservatives.
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).