California Rice Casserole
Loaded with colorful veggies, creamy cheese, and perfectly cooked rice, this California Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food with a healthy twist. Featuring a medley of vibrant broccoli, sweet bell peppers, shredded carrots, and juicy diced tomatoes, this easy-to-make dish strikes the perfect balance between hearty and wholesome. The rich blend of cheddar and cream cheese, seasoned with Italian herbs, creates a velvety texture that ties all the flavors together. Topped with a golden layer of cheese—or an optional crispy breadcrumb topping—this casserole is baked to bubbly perfection in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a family dinner or a potluck crowd, this satisfying casserole is a flavorful way to pack more veggies into your meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or yellow)
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add chopped broccoli, shredded carrots, and minced garlic to the skillet, and cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, and remove the skillet from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked white rice, sautéed vegetables, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, milk, Italian seasoning, salt, and ground black pepper until smooth. Pour this mixture into the rice and vegetable mixture, and stir until fully combined.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. If desired, mix breadcrumbs and melted butter, and sprinkle over the cheese for a crispy topping.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
473 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.7 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.9 g | 80% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 74 mg | 25% | |
| Sodium | 997 mg | 43% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.2 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.2 g | ||
| Protein | 16.2 g | 32% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 366 mg | 28% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 429 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
