Wild Rice Casserole (Printable)

Hearty wild rice and vegetable bake with mushrooms in savory broth

# What You Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
02 - 2 cups vegetable broth
03 - 1 cup water

→ Vegetables

04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 2 cups cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
08 - 1 medium carrot, diced
09 - 1 celery stalk, diced
10 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
11 - 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Dairy (optional)

16 - 1/2 cup grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
02 - In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
03 - Add the sliced mushrooms, diced carrot, celery, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and mushrooms have released their moisture.
04 - Stir in the chopped spinach, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until spinach wilts slightly.
05 - Transfer the sautéed vegetable mixture to the prepared baking dish. Add the rinsed wild rice, vegetable broth, and water. Mix thoroughly to distribute all ingredients evenly.
06 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 1 hour, or until the wild rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
07 - If using cheese, remove the foil and sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until melted and golden brown.
08 - Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the kind of dish that makes people ask for seconds before theyve even finished their first serving
  • Works equally well as a humble side dish or the star of a vegetarian dinner table
02 -
  • Wild rice takes longer to cook than regular rice. Don't rush the baking time or you'll end up with crunchy grains.
  • The liquid should be mostly absorbed but the rice should still look moist and glossy when it's done.
03 -
  • If your wild rice still has a slight chew after an hour, add a splash more water and continue baking covered for another 10-15 minutes.
  • For meal prep, assemble everything up to a day ahead and store covered in the refrigerator. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking cold from the fridge.
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