Brussels Sprouts Wild Rice Casserole
Bring a touch of elegance to your fall and winter holiday table with this luxurious side dish or vegetarian main! Brussels Sprouts Casserole with wild rice, cheese and a crunchy almond topping can be made in advance and may even win over a Brussels sprout skeptic!
For more great Brussels sprouts recipes, check out 30 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes!
“This recipe has been a game changer in my household!”
Why This Recipe Is a Keeper!
Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Casserole with wild rice has all the people-pleasing ingredients that will bring a smile to everyone at your holiday table! What’s not to love about crisp Brussels sprouts, an earthy wild rice blend and luxurious cheese sauce all combined into one luxurious side dish or vegetarian main?
Like my Cheesy Green Bean Casserole, this easy, elegant make-ahead Brussels Sprouts Casserole recipe is perfect for your fall and winter holiday table. Best of all, it pairs beautifully with so many things.
It’s also versatile! If you don’t care for Brussels sprouts, use broccoli or green beans instead in this casserole. You could also do all white, brown, or wild rice.
Add it to your traditional holiday menu, or if entertaining, serve this Brussels Sprouts Casserole alongside roasted chicken, beef, or my Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs with Cauliflower Leek Puree or Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil for a meal your guests will rave about.
Let’s make it!
How to Make a Brussels Sprouts Casserole:
Recipe Ingredients:
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this recipe, along with how to prep the ingredients. See the Brussels Sprouts Casserole recipe card below for the exact quantities.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
- Brussels Sprouts: Use small to medium Brussels sprouts.
- Scallions: You could also use a shallot or two.
- Dry White Wine: When using wine in cooking, you always want to use a wine you enjoy drinking. Anything with an off-taste can ruin your entire dish. Besides adding flavor, the tartaric acid in wine will help the cheese melt smoothly when you add it. That acid helps break down the cheese proteins for a smoother melt. NON-ALCOHOLIC SUBSTITUTE: Add a teaspoon of white wine vinegar to 1/3 cup chicken or vegetable broth. White wine vinegar has none to only a trace of alcohol.
- White Cheddar Cheese: I tested this recipe twice–once with a sharp white Cheddar and a second with a mild white Cheddar. We liked the sharp white cheddar version better, but I would avoid an “extra sharp” cheddar because it doesn’t work well with Brussels sprouts.
- Almonds: Use sliced or slivered almonds. The almonds add a nice crunchy element.
- Wild Rice Blend: I used Rice Select Royal Blend (affiliate link), available on Amazon and at most grocery stores. Follow the package directions, but be careful not to overcook the rice. Also, the directions say the yield will be 2 1/2 cups, but you will only get 2 cups of cooked rice from their measurements, which is fine for this recipe. (As I mentioned above, I tested the recipe twice.)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Gather and prep all the ingredients.
- Cook and cool the rice.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees if baking right away. Prepare a baking dish.
- Prepare an ice bath. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and drop the Brussels sprouts into the boiling water. Cook briefly, 30-45 seconds, or until they turn bright green. Scoop them out and drop them into the ice bath. Let cool, then drain and pat dry. Discard the cooking water.
- Heat the butter in the saucepan and add the scallion. Cook until it softens, 2-3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook briefly.
- Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, then add the white wine. Cook for 1 more minute.
- Slowly add the half-and-half and bring up to a simmer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened and smooth. (The sauce will not be terribly thick because the cheese will thicken it more.)
- Stir the rice and Brussels sprouts into the cheese sauce, then pour into the prepared baking dish. Top with the sliced or slivered almonds.
- MAKE AHEAD: This Brussels Sprouts Casserole recipe can be prepared to this point 1 to 2 days ahead. Cool, cover, and refrigerate. (Be sure the rice is not overcooked, as it will absorb some of the cheese sauce and soften up some more.) Let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats. You may need to add baking time if the casserole is cold.
- Bake uncovered until heated through and bubbling! Mwaaaahhh! Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Casserole with wild rice!
- Garnish with thyme sprigs or chopped parsley if desired.
Chef Tips and Tricks:
- When prepping Brussels sprouts, I always wear a disposable glove on my right hand because I tend to nick my thumb, and it gets tender. (I’m right-handed.) You could also wear a fingertip cot or wrap your thumb in a bandage while trimming and quartering the sprouts if that happens to you, too.
- To cool the rice quickly, place a sheet pan in the freezer while the rice is cooking. When the rice is done, take the sheet pan out of the freezer and spread the rice over the chilled sheet pan. I also use this method when cooking risotto for personal chef clients to cool it quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can blanch the Brussels sprouts and cook the rice up to 2 days ahead. Cool and refrigerate (the sprouts and rice can be combined). You can also fully assemble the casserole and refrigerate it up to 2 days ahead. Be sure not to overcook the rice because it will absorb some of the cheese sauce as it sits and softens up more.
Yes, you can use white, brown or all wild rice.
Rather than white cheddar cheese, you can use Gruyere, Swiss or Monterey Jack.
For the best result, freeze before baking for 1 to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator. Bake until heated through and bubbling. This casserole can also be frozen after baking, but the Brussels sprouts will be very soft. Thaw in the refrigerator and heat through in a 350-degree oven.
Serve this Brussels Sprouts Casserole with:
- Boneless Short Rib Recipe (Mississippi-Style)
- Braised Pork Loin Roast in Dijon Mustard Sauce
- Walnut-Crusted Chicken with Pomegranate Sauce
- Turkey Apple Meatloaf with Balsamic Ketchup Glaze
- Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil
More great Brussels sprouts recipes!
- Brussels Sprouts Gratin
- Sriracha Sweet Chili Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Brown Butter and Almonds
- Lemon Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts
Get all my vegetable side dish recipes at Vegetable Side Dish Recipes – From A Chef’s Kitchen
Brussels Sprouts Wild Rice Casserole
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Ingredients
- Cooking spray - for baking dish
- Salt
- 1 pound trimmed Brussels sprouts - small to medium size, quartered (4-5 cups after quartering)
- 3 tablespoons butter - preferably unsalted
- 1 bunch scallions - white and light green part only, coarsely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 2 1/4 cups shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese - or mild, divided
- 2 cups cooked wild rice blend - such as Rice Select
- Freshly ground black pepper - to taste
- 2 tablespoons slivered or sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a large oval gratin dish (1 3/4 to 2-quart) with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Prepare an ice bath. Bring a saucepan of generously salted water (with approximately 1 tablespoon salt) to a boil. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook for 20-30 seconds or so or until they turn bright green. Scoop them out and drop them into the prepared ice bath to cool. Drain and pat dry.
- Discard the cooking water, rinse and return the saucepan to the stove.
- Melt the butter in the saucepan over medium heat. Add the scallion and cook 2-3 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook 10-15 seconds or until fragrant.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the wine and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually add the half-and-half and continue whisking until smooth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook 1-2 minutes or until thickened and smooth.
- Remove from the heat. Add 2 cups of the cheese in increments, whisking as you add the cheese until it's smooth and blended in. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir in the rice and Brussels sprouts. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Sprinkle with the almonds.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until hot, bubbling and heated through. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
This recipe has been a game changer in my household! The smell of Brussels sprouts has always been off-putting to my family. Imagine their surprise when they found out the dish they snarfed up was chock full of their (now former) nemesis! Remember blanching is key here. No additions or changes were made. Thanks for the great recipe! It has won a much needed addition in our weekly line up!
Hi, Kristin, Thanks so much and so happy everyone loved this recipe. Love that we were able to convert Brussels sprouts haters! Appreciate your taking the time to come back and comment and rate. Thanks again!
What can I use to replace half and half? A non-dairy option?
Hi, Luciana, Thanks so much for your question. You could use a plant-based non-dairy coffee creamer that has a neutral flavor. I’d avoid coconut–something more like almond or oat milk. Thanks again and hope you enjoy!