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Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 612 reviews

This Wild Rice Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish combining nutty wild rice, tender chicken, sautéed vegetables, and a rich creamy cheese sauce, all topped with a crispy buttery breadcrumb and Parmesan cheese crust. Baked to golden perfection, it’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks, delivering wholesome flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Casserole:

  • 2 cups cooked wild rice
  • 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
  • 1 small onion (diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
  • 1 cup carrots (diced)
  • 1 cup celery (diced)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp dried thyme

For the Creamy Sauce:

  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or homemade)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or homemade)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
  • 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Swiss)

For the Topping:

  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
  • 2 tbsp butter (melted)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when your casserole is assembled.
  2. Cook the Wild Rice: If your wild rice isn’t already cooked, prepare it according to the package instructions. Wild rice takes about 45 minutes to cook, so plan accordingly.
  3. Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
  4. Make the Creamy Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, milk (or heavy cream), and shredded cheese until smooth and well combined.
  5. Assemble the Casserole: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the cooked wild rice, shredded chicken, sautéed vegetables, and creamy sauce. Stir everything together until well-mixed.
  6. Add the Topping: In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole.
  7. Bake & Serve: Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and casserole to set.

Notes

  • Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the casserole gluten-free or omit the topping entirely.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute with dairy-free milk, soups, and cheese alternatives.
  • To make a vegetarian casserole, swap the chicken with chickpeas or tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Add cooked bacon or sausage for extra protein and flavor.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.

Keywords: wild rice casserole, chicken casserole, creamy casserole, baked casserole, comfort food, wild rice recipe, chicken and rice, cheesy casserole

Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/wild-rice-casserole-recipe/