Hearty Cheesy Spinach Rice Bake

Delight your taste buds and simplify your meal planning with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole. This comforting side dish brings together fluffy long-grain and wild rice, fresh spinach, and a generous amount of melting Monterey Jack cheese, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will earn rave reviews every time. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight accompaniment or an impressive dish for entertaining guests, this semi-homemade casserole promises a hearty and satisfying experience with minimal effort.

Forget the stress of elaborate cooking! This versatile rice casserole is designed for convenience without compromising on taste. Its simple preparation makes it accessible for even novice cooks, while its rich, cheesy goodness ensures it’s a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. It’s the perfect blend of convenience and homemade comfort, making it a staple you’ll want to add to your recipe rotation immediately.

A golden brown Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole baked in a white ceramic dish, ready to be served.

Contents

Why You Must Make This Easy Rice Casserole

In today’s busy world, we all need clever shortcuts that deliver maximum flavor with minimum fuss. Just as certain doctored-up cake mix recipes, like my beloved Kahlua Cake and Lemon Bundt Cake, consistently impress with their ease and delicious results, this Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole follows the same philosophy. Even family favorites like my Cream Cheese Tea Roll demonstrate how starting with a quality pre-made base can lead to spectacular homemade-tasting dishes.

While I often enjoy cooking from scratch, there are countless times when a dependable, easy recipe is a true lifesaver. This spinach and rice casserole perfectly fits that bill, especially when you’re hosting company or simply need a quick yet satisfying side dish for a busy weeknight dinner. It offers that delightful semi-homemade appeal that everyone appreciates.

Here’s why this casserole will quickly become a cherished part of your culinary repertoire:

Effortless Preparation: It streamlines your cooking process, allowing you more time to enjoy your meal and company. The “semi-homemade” approach means less time prepping and more time savoring.
Readily Available Ingredients: You won’t need to hunt for exotic items. All components are common pantry and grocery store staples, making shopping a breeze.
Irresistibly Cheesy and Delicious: The generous amount of Monterey Jack cheese, combined with savory spinach and hearty rice, creates a flavor profile that is comforting, rich, and utterly addictive. It’s a side dish that often steals the show!
Versatile Appeal: Simple enough for an everyday family dinner, yet elegant enough to grace any holiday table or special gathering. Its mild yet satisfying flavor complements a wide array of main courses.
A Wholesome Twist: Packed with spinach, this casserole is a delicious way to sneak in some greens, even for the pickiest eaters.

This casserole is more than just a side; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special and memorable. It’s a dish that brings comfort and joy to the table, making every meal a little more delightful.

A collection of ingredients for Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole arranged on a sheet pan, including a box of rice, butter, onions, spinach, and cheese, each clearly labeled.

Ingredient Notes for the Perfect Casserole

Crafting this Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole is straightforward, and the magic lies in a few key ingredients. Understanding their role can help you achieve the best results and even inspire your own variations.

Kitchen Staples – Salt: A fundamental seasoning that enhances all the other flavors. Don’t underestimate its importance in balancing the richness of the cheese and the earthiness of the spinach.
Box of Long Grain and Wild Rice (6 oz box): I highly recommend using Uncle Ben’s brand for its consistent quality and distinct texture. The combination of long grain and wild rice offers a wonderful textural contrast – the long grain rice provides a fluffy base, while the wild rice adds a delightful chewiness and nutty flavor that elevates the casserole beyond plain white rice. This pre-packaged mix also often comes with a seasoning packet, which adds a layer of depth to the dish.
Butter: Essential for both cooking the rice mix and enriching the casserole. A touch of melted butter brings a luxurious flavor and helps bind the ingredients together, creating a truly comforting dish. Its richness complements the cheese beautifully.
Onion (Chopped): Aromatic onions provide a foundational savory note, adding depth and a subtle sweetness that rounds out the flavors of the spinach and cheese. Sautéing them briefly before mixing helps to soften their sharpness and release their full flavor potential.
Frozen Chopped Spinach (10-ounce box, defrosted and squeezed dry): This is a convenient and cost-effective way to incorporate spinach. The “defrosted and squeezed dry” part is absolutely crucial. Excess moisture from the spinach can make your casserole watery and prevent it from setting properly. Squeezing it dry ensures a creamy, well-textured result.
Monterey Jack Cheese (Shredded): The star of the show! Monterey Jack is chosen for its superior melting qualities and mild, buttery flavor that pairs wonderfully with spinach and rice without overpowering them. It creates that irresistible gooey, cheesy texture that makes a casserole truly comforting.
Dry Mustard: This secret ingredient is a game-changer! While it might sound unusual, dry mustard doesn’t make the casserole taste like mustard. Instead, it acts as a subtle flavor enhancer, deepening the savory notes of the cheese and other ingredients, adding a complexity that will have everyone wondering what your secret is.

With these carefully selected ingredients, you’re well on your way to creating a Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole that’s both simple to prepare and wonderfully satisfying to eat.

How to Make Your Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole

Creating this delicious Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole is a breeze. Follow these straightforward steps to bring this comforting dish to life in your kitchen:

A mixing bowl with defrosted spinach, chopped onions, and seasonings ready to be combined. — Add spinach, onions, seasonings to a bowl.

A mixing bowl with cooked rice and shredded Monterey Jack cheese being added to the spinach and onion mixture. — Add spinach, onions, seasonings to a bowl.

Expert Tips for a Perfectly Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole

While this cheesy rice casserole recipe is wonderfully simple, a few expert tips can help ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time, maximizing flavor and texture.

Plan Ahead with Spinach: Always remember to defrost your frozen spinach a day in advance by placing it in the refrigerator. This allows it to thaw gradually. More importantly, take the time to thoroughly squeeze out all excess liquid. This step is critical! If the spinach is too wet, it will make your casserole watery and prevent it from achieving that desired creamy consistency.
Follow Rice Package Directions: For the very best results, cook the long-grain and wild rice according to the specific instructions on its package. Each brand might have slightly different water-to-rice ratios or cooking times. Once cooked, there’s no need to let the rice cool before mixing it with the other ingredients; it can go straight into the bowl.
Cheese Variety is Your Friend: While Monterey Jack cheese is my top recommendation for its fantastic melt and mild flavor, feel free to experiment with other melty cheeses. Swiss cheese offers a nutty, slightly bolder profile, while sharp cheddar can add a tangy kick. A blend of cheeses, perhaps Monterey Jack with a touch of Gruyère or a sprinkle of Parmesan, could also be delightful. Choose what suits your taste!
The Golden Top: For an extra-special touch and an irresistibly golden, cheesy crust, sprinkle an additional ½ cup of shredded cheese over the top of the casserole during the last 10 minutes of baking. This creates a beautiful visual appeal and an added layer of cheesy goodness.
Boost Your Veggies: The original recipe for this casserole called for two boxes of spinach, but I typically use just one for a balanced flavor. However, if you’re looking to increase your vegetable intake or prefer a dish with fewer carbs per serving, don’t hesitate to add a second 10-ounce box of thoroughly squeezed dry spinach. It’s a great way to pack in more nutrients.
PRO-Tip – Squeezing Spinach: The most efficient way to remove liquid from defrosted spinach is to use a potato ricer. Simply place handfuls of spinach into the ricer and press firmly over a sink or colander. Be warned, though, that some “resident dishwashers” might not be thrilled with cleaning it! An equally effective, albeit more hands-on, alternative is to place the spinach in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and twist firmly to wring out the water. I often do this over a colander to catch any stray pieces.
Baking Dish Size Matters: For the specified yield, an 8×8-inch casserole dish is ideal, ensuring the casserole cooks evenly and achieves the perfect depth. If you double the recipe, opt for a larger 9×13-inch dish.
Storage and Reheating: Leftover Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for individual servings or cover and bake in a 300°F (150°C) oven until heated through, adding a splash of milk or broth if it seems dry.
Don’t Overbake: Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are slightly golden. Overbaking can lead to a dry casserole, so keep an eye on it!

By incorporating these tips, your Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole will consistently be a triumph – flavorful, creamy, and deeply satisfying.

An unbaked Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole mixture neatly arranged in a white ceramic baking dish, ready for the oven.

Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with This Casserole

One of the many charms of this Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole is its incredible versatility. Its relatively neutral yet rich flavors mean it won’t overpower your main course, making it an ideal companion for a wide variety of entrées. Since rice is a substantial carbohydrate, you might want to avoid serving it alongside another heavy pasta dish. Instead, here are some excellent recommendations that create a balanced and utterly delicious meal:

Homemade Rotisserie-Style Chicken: The succulent, seasoned chicken pairs perfectly with the creamy, savory casserole. It’s a classic comfort food combination that feels both special and satisfying.
Korean Grilled Flank Steak: The bold, umami-rich flavors of the Korean marinade find a wonderful balance with the mild, cheesy rice. The casserole acts as a delightful counterpoint, absorbing some of the steak’s robust essence.
Grilled Steak with Garlic Butter: Whether it’s a tenderloin or another cut, a perfectly grilled steak brushed with aromatic garlic herb butter is elevated by the creamy texture and subtle richness of the spinach rice casserole. It’s a restaurant-quality meal made at home.
Pork Tenderloin (with the Best Pork Marinade): A juicy, flavorful pork tenderloin, especially one prepared with an excellent marinade, creates a fantastic duo with the casserole. The pork’s savory notes and the casserole’s creamy texture are a match made in heaven.
Maple Glazed Salmon: For a lighter, yet equally satisfying option, serve this casserole with flaky, sweet and savory maple-glazed salmon. The sweetness of the glaze and the richness of the fish are beautifully complemented by the earthy spinach and cheesy rice.

Beyond these specific suggestions, consider serving this casserole with roasted turkey, baked ham, grilled shrimp, or even as a substantial vegetarian main course alongside a crisp green salad. Its adaptable nature makes it a valuable asset for any meal planning.

Cheesy Spinach Rice Casserole

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
40 minutes

Total Time
55 minutes

Yield
6 servings

An easy, flavorful rice dish with spinach and cheese that consistently earns rave reviews!

Ingredients

One 6 ounce package of Long Grain and Wild Rice (such as Uncle Ben’s)
¼ cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon chopped onion
One 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and thoroughly squeezed dry
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
¾ teaspoon dry mustard
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Cook the long-grain and wild rice according to the package instructions.
While the rice is cooking, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
Scrape the softened onion and melted butter into a large mixing bowl. Add the thoroughly squeezed dry spinach, dry mustard, and salt. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
Once the rice is cooked, add it directly to the mixing bowl along with the shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until evenly combined. Pour the mixture into an 8×8-inch casserole dish.
Bake, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on top. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 250Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 497mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 12g

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