What’s more comforting than a hot, bubbling casserole straight out of the oven? Not much. Accessible, quick, warm, and filling, casseroles are our weeknight heroes—heck, our weekend heroes too.
While there are many different varieties of casseroles in the world, most come down to two critical components: carbs and cheese. There’s pasta, there’s potatoes, there’s tortillas—but for this gal, the best casserole carb is undoubtedly rice.
We’re sharing our favorite 20 ooey-gooey cheesy rice casseroles your whole family is sure to love. And what’s not to love? It’s comfort in a bowl—or, casserole dish!
Save to MyRecipes
Love these recipes? Tap ‘Save’ to add them to MyRecipes—your new, free recipe box for Allrecipes!
Broccoli, Rice, Cheese, and Chicken Casserole
Stacy Allen / Food Styling: Julian Henserling / Prop Styling: Christina Daley
Let’s kick it off with one of the most classic cheesy rice casseroles: a cheesy chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole. This simple version has only 10 ingredients, one of which is just the water to cook the rice. The recipe has over 500 5-star ratings, and rave reviews from real life Allrecipes members who have made this dish for their friends and family.
“Love this recipe,” shared one Allrecipes member. “It’s always a hit for church potluck meals. Even the pastor’s 10-year-old son will always thank me for this casserole! Sometimes I use freshly boiled chicken, or canned breast chicken. The only change I make sometimes is adding cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. So good!”
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Allrecipes / Julia Hartbeck
Stuffed peppers are so delicious, but are kind of a pain to make—and eat. This Stuffed Pepper Casserole gives you all the tasty stuffed pepper flavors, without the extra work of stuffing. The recipe has a nearly perfect 5-star rating, making it a great repeat-recipe for any time you’re craving something cheesy and easy.
“Very easy to make and so delicious,” shared one Allrecipes member. “I followed instructions as written. I recommend it!”
Zucchini Chicken Rice Casserole
Photographer: Jacob Fox / Food Styling: Sammy Mila / Prop Styling: Natalie Ghazali
Get your veggies in with this Zucchini Chicken Rice Casserole. This recipe is a little lighter than many other cheesy rice casseroles, thanks to its use of lots of grated zucchini—but that doesn’t mean it compromises on cheesiness. This recipe has two delicious cheeses: feta for a bright and salty bite, and provolone for creamy meltiness. How can you go wrong?
Easy and Delicious Mexican Pork Chops
This cheesy rice casserole has it all: a big helping of tender pork chops, and a flavor-packed rice casserole. Plus, it only takes 15 minutes to prep the whole casserole—making it a great choice for a busy weeknight.
“This an effortless way to perk up pork chops,” shared one Allrecipes reviewer. “The whole family loved it, even my sister who is not a big fan of pork. I will add this recipe to my ‘rotation.’ Next time I make it, [I will add] bell pepper and cook it with the rice. Having sour cream on top works out well.”
Curried Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
This Curried Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is a tasty spin on a classic. The addition of curry powder adds warmth and earthiness thanks to seasonings like cumin, ginger, turmeric, and chilis. The Allrecipes member who shared this recipe said that it freezes well, and to bake uncovered for one hour from frozen when you’re ready to enjoy this dish again.
“Great comfort food,” said an Allrecipes member. “I omitted the cornflakes and added more slivered almonds. Great!” Other reviewers said that this recipe was a winner in their households, and that they can “eat almost all of it in one sitting!”
Rice Elena
Perhaps the cheesiest (and simplest) casserole on this list, Rice Elena brings ooey-gooey cheesiness to the highest possible level. Sour cream, Monterey Jack cheese, and Cheddar Cheese is mixed with rice and canned green chiles for a bite of freshness.
“My new go-to dish for company,” said one reviewer. “Goes with chicken, fish, or steak. Everyone loves it. I used smoked basmati rice a couple times which I love but it is an unnecessary change.” Another reviewer said that Rice Elena is “the best recipe he has ever had.” Can’t beat that review!
Ross Fil-Forn (Maltese Baked Rice)
Photographer: Jen Causey / Food Styling: Margaret Dickey / Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This delicious Mediterranean casserole features rice, ground beef, crushed tomatoes, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese bound together with lots of seasoning and three large eggs. This tasty casserole is a complete meal in one dish. One reviewer made this casserole two days in a row!
“This was a really good Maltese Ross Fil-Forn,” said one Allrecipes member. “My Husband is from Malta and he said it was the best he ever had.” Another member said that this casserole is “absolutely perfect for gatherings” and that it’s “guaranteed to please.”
Chicken Alfredo Rice Casserole
Yolanda Gutierrez
Olive Garden lovers, this casserole is for you. According to Allrecipes Allstar Yolanda Gutierrez, this dish features a “homemade garlicky cream and Parmesan sauce, cooked chicken, rice, and peas topped with a crunchy breadcrumb topping.” The dish comes together with only 20 minutes of hands-on time, and is “comfort food at its best.”
“Absolutely delicious,” shared one reviewer. “Hubby loved it too, [and] he’s a bit of a fussy eater. Tastes so amazing. I will be making this again and again. My family will love it too.”
Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole
My Hot Southern Mess
With rice, black beans, chicken, cheese, and spinach—this casserole is super hearty but oh-so tasty. Reviewers have enjoyed it on its own, in tacos and burritos, and served with cornbread and a vegetable side.
“[My] family loved this,” shared one Allrecipes reviewer. “5 stars for sure. Easy to make and absolutely delicious.”
Ground Beef Casserole with Brown Rice
Photographer: Grant Webster / Food Styling: Shannon Goforth / Prop Styling: Lexi Juhl
The Allrecipes member who shared this recipe states “My mother made this ground beef casserole with brown rice recipe for my brother and me when we were kids. It’s very filling and takes well to additions and alterations.” This no-fuss recipe also freezes well, with one user saying they “put the mixture (without the cheese) into gallon-sized resealable plastic bags and freeze them.”
Salsa Chicken Rice Casserole
This Salsa Chicken Rice Casserole has nearly 950 5-star ratings, and hundreds of home cooks have made it for their friends and family. Several users customized it, adding ingredients like green chiles, fresh cilantro, frozen corn, green pepper, and other ingredients.
“This recipe is delicious,” shared one Allrecipes member. “Very satisfying and comforting. And so easy! I added a chicken bouillon cube to the water for the chicken and the rice. I also added a little guacamole seasoning and salsa seasoning to the sauce. I will definitely make this again!”
Spinach, Feta, and Rice Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Feta is the cheesy star of this casserole, which offers fresh Mediterranean flavors. With only 15 minutes of prep, and 35 minutes of cooking time, this dish can be served in under an hour.
“I’ve added this to my ‘go to’ recipes. Yummy. I was wondering whether to swap dill for mint next time, definite Greek summer vibes!”
Chicken Fajita Rice Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
In this casserole, the cheese is added as it’s served. It has all the components of your favorite restaurant fajita dish, including flavorful rice, bright lime and cilantro, and thinly cut chicken breasts, bell peppers, and red onion.
“I love one pot wonders and this dish is perfect,” shared Paula, an Allrecipes Allstar. “All fixed in one pan, easy, chock full of vegetables, and full of flavor. I cut the recipe in half and used the Fajita Seasoning recipe from this site. To serve, I topped the bowl with cherry tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream. I will definitely make this again!”
Hamburger Rice Casserole
fabeveryday
This fun recipe brings together all the flavors of a delicious burger, but in a no-fuss casserole the whole family is sure to enjoy—because sometimes simple is best.
“This has become our go-to for week nights when we don’t know what we feel like having,” said one Allrecipes member. “We’ve varied the spices, but it doesn’t matter, everyone eats it like gangbusters.” “Ok wow,” shared another. “So simple but delicious. This was a winner. My man doesn’t like cabbage but he didn’t even [notice]. Heck yeah!”
Pork Chop and Cheesy Rice Casserole
fabeveryday
“This is a variation on one of my mother’s go-to recipes and gets raves every time I serve it,” said Miss Annette, the Allrecipes member who shared this recipe. “You can mix and match ingredients depending on what you have on hand. This one will quickly become a favorite in your home; even kids love it! This is a very easy recipe to alter and make your own. The possibilities are endless!”
Chicken Florentine Rice Casserole
This casserole is absolutely flavored-packed with the addition of thyme, sage, basil, parsley, marjoram, and more. The recipe calls for cottage cheese instead of something like cream cheese or sour cream, offering a better-for-you alternative for those looking for it.
“This was a delicious dish,” said an Allrecipes user. “My husband, who is not a casserole lover, even liked it. So did my three year-old twins! For my whole family to like something is a big deal!”
Cheesy Turkey Rice Casserole
Save this recipe for the day after Thanksgiving—it’s a great way to use up some of that left over turkey! “I make this basic casserole once a week and always have a couple servings in the freezer,” said one Allrecipes member.
Another member shared that they were “looking for a recipe that used leftover turkey,” and that “THIS IS THE RECIPE!” They did make changes based on what they had in hand: “I used broccoli florets as veggies, added poultry seasoning, celery salt, sage, salt, and pepper. I didn’t have the cheese, so I melted one cup of Velveeta cheese, mixed in the milk until smooth and added the rest, stirred it all together, and topped it with French’s Red Pepper crunchy topping. What a fantastic recipe!! and so versatile! It’s definitely a KEEPER!”
Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
How can you beat this simple classic? “I grew up with this chicken and rice casserole recipe,” said the Allrecipes member who shared this recipe. “My Grandmother got it from a lady from church at a potluck a long time ago! She passed it down to my mom and it’s always been a family favorite. Quick and easy for school nights, and the leftovers are just as good! You can use less butter on top of course, my Momma and Mamaw always put the full stick on top (gotta love Southern ladies and their butter!)”
Chef John’s Chicken and Rice Casserole
This recipe is a little more involved than you’d expect from a chicken and rice casserole, but reviewers say it’s oh-so worth it. The chicken marinade, rice, and yogurt sauce are all packed with different flavors that come together to make something special.
“This is a delicious and easy dinner,” said one Allrecipes member. “The flavor of the spices in the marinade are delicious and I use the spice blend on lots of different proteins and vegetables. The rice was cooked perfectly and the saffron was a wonderful addition. The chicken turned out moist and flavorful. The sauce was the perfect final accompaniment to the dish. Thanks, Chef John!”
Stick of Butter Chicken and Rice
Peyton Beckwith
One stick of butter and one cup of Parmesan? Sounds like a winning recipe to me! Plus, it only takes five minutes of prep! “Stick of Butter Chicken and Rice is the dinner you make when you don’t feel like cooking,” shared Allrecipes culinary producer Nicole McLaughlin. “This delicious chicken-rice casserole could not be easier to make and your family will inhale it.”
