Wild Rice Casserole with Vegetables (Printable)

Hearty vegetarian wild rice with mushrooms and colorful vegetables baked in savory broth.

# Ingredient List:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
02 - 2 cups vegetable broth (gluten-free, if needed)
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 - ½ teaspoon salt
15 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Dairy (optional)

16 - ½ cup grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese (optional, for topping)

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic; sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add mushrooms, carrot, celery, and red bell pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes until vegetables are softened and mushrooms release their liquid.
04 - Stir in the chopped spinach, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper; cook for 1 minute until spinach wilts.
05 - In the prepared baking dish, combine the wild rice, sautéed vegetables, vegetable broth, and water. Mix well.
06 - Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
07 - If using cheese, remove foil, sprinkle cheese evenly over the top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
08 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Wild rice brings a satisfying chew that feels substantial while remaining light
  • The vegetable base creates layers of flavor that develop beautifully in the oven
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the rice absorbs more of the savory broth
02 -
  • Wild rice takes longer to cook than white rice so do not rush the baking time
  • The liquid should be mostly absorbed but the rice will continue to soak it up as it rests
  • If the rice seems too firm after an hour add a splash more water and continue baking
03 -
  • Rinse wild rice until the water runs clear to remove any bitterness
  • Letting the casserole rest before serving is crucial for the best texture
  • The vegetables can be prepped a day ahead to speed up assembly
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