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    Home » Recipes » Vegetarian / Vegan Entrees

    By Carol Published: Nov 28, 2015 Modified: Feb 17, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole

    Jump to Recipe
    4.44 from 16 votes
    1 hour

    Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole is a delicious, hearty, vegetarian casserole that's also super flexible!  Use any kind of grain such as quinoa, barley or lentils and any type of leafy green.

    Photo of Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole in brown clay baking dish.

    Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole is super-flexible.  I used brown rice here, but you can use any grain you'd like such as barley, lentils or quinoa and any greens that you'd like.  I used kale, bok choy and baby spinach here.  Love me some greens no matter what they are!

    You could also add leftover turkey or chicken, too!

    Photo of a spoonful of Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole being lifted out of brown clay baking dish.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS - Click the Icon to Find the Info You Need FAST!

    • Tips for cooking brown rice:
    • More great vegetarian casseroles you'll love!
    • Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole
      • Equipment
      • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • Instructions 
      • Notes
      • Nutrition

    Tips for cooking brown rice:

    Here's the easiest way I have found to cook brown rice (and I've cooked a ton of brown rice in my time):

    • Get a saucepan of water boiling
    • Add some salt then add the brown rice.
    • Let it boil away uncovered!
    • Check it after about 20 minutes and if it's done the way you like it, then drain in a sieve.  If not, let it keep boiling.  Some brands can take longer to cook than others.
    • Add water as necessary to keep it cooking in plenty of water.

    Yes, that's right--no measuring, no timing, no possible burning the rice on the bottom--just boil it like pasta and keep it moving.

    • As with pasta, if brown rice is cooked in a small amount of water it gets gummy and sticky.  Basically, it has cooked in its own starch.  With this method, you will have beautiful, fluffy brown rice each and every time!
    • Because the "pasta method" for brown rice is so easy and fool-proof, I always cook extra brown rice so I have it on hand for a casserole or a side dish--it freezes beautifully.

    Photo of Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole with some removed to show interior of casserole.

    The texture of Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole is slightly different from most casseroles you may be used to.  There's no creamy "binder," which in the South often involves a can of cream of mushroom soup, sour cream or mayonnaise.  It's just eggs and cheese for a delightfully chewy, crunchy texture.

    A slightly spicy homemade tomato soup is perfect on the side!

    More great vegetarian casseroles you'll love!

    • Black Bean and Yellow Squash Enchilada Casserole
    • Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Quinoa Casserole
    • Healthier Turkish Eggplant Casserole
    • Southwestern Squash, Corn and Poblano Casserole
    • Italian Summer Vegetable Casserole
    • Brown Rice Cheddar Kale Casserole
    • Layered Zucchini Corn Casserole
    • Brown Rice and Summer Vegetable Casserole with Feta and Black Olives

    Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole

    4.44 from 16 votes
    By: Carol | From A Chef's Kitchen
    Cheesy Brown Rice and Greens Casserole is a delicious, hearty, vegetarian casserole that’s also super flexible!  Use any kind of grain such as quinoa, barley or lentils and any type of leafy green.
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE SAVE RECIPE Saved!
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Vegetarian / Vegan Entrees
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 340 kcal

    Equipment

    • Wusthof Chef Knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Saucepan
    • Stainless Steel Skillet
    • 13 x 9 Baking Dish

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil - plus more for pan
    • ½ medium onion - finely chopped
    • 8 heads baby bok choy - sliced into ½-inch pieces
    • 1 bunch kale - stems removed, coarsely chopped
    • 1 bag (10-ounce) baby spinach
    • 4 cloves garlic - minced
    • 3 cups cooked brown rice - or barley, lentils or quinoa or a combination
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
    • 3 large eggs - beaten
    • 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
    • Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or saute pan. Add onion and cook until softened, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
    • Add the bok choy and kale in batches; cook each batch until wilted. Stir in garlic. Transfer to a large bowl. Add spinach to wilt slightly.
    • Stir in cooked brown rice. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
    • Stir in eggs and cheese.
    • Transfer to prepared baking pan. Cover with aluminum foil.
    • Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until cheese and top is lightly browned.

    Notes

    Prep time does not include cooking the rice.
    MAKE AHEAD:  Assemble, cool and refrigerator up to 2 days ahead.
    TO REHEAT LEFTOVERS:  Cut into squares, wrap loosely in aluminum foil.  Reheat at 325 degrees until heated through.
    FREEZER-FRIENDLY:  Cut into pieces as desired.  Place in airtight containers.  Thaw in the refrigerator then reheat in a 325-degree oven until heated through.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6 | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 268mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2674IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 348mg | Iron: 1mg

    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.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment, star rating or post your photo on Instagram and tag @fromachefskitchen.

    More Vegetarian / Vegan Entrees

    • Vegan Thai Red Curry
    • Zucchini Quiche with Feta Cheese and Brown Rice Crust
    • Summer Squash Casserole with Green Chiles
    • Cheesy Brussels Sprouts and Wild Rice Casserole
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    Categories: Make Ahead and Meal Prep

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cindy says

      April 10, 2020 at 6:57 am

      I wanted to point out that unlike pasta, rice IS supposed to be sticky. Cooked your way you a boiling out and throwing away much of the nutritional value of brown rice.

      Reply
      • Carol says

        April 10, 2020 at 7:25 am

        Hi, Cindy and thanks for your information. Here's an article from Saveur magazine you may find interesting. https://www.saveur.com/perfect-brown-rice-recipe/ Thanks again and have a great day!

        Reply
    2. PSeery says

      October 23, 2019 at 3:58 pm

      I made this with the beer turkey meatballs and it was a hit. I will definitely be making it again. Yummo! Ty

      Reply
      • Carol says

        October 23, 2019 at 6:01 pm

        Thanks so very much and glad you all enjoyed!

        Reply
    3. Janet Hargreaves says

      May 04, 2016 at 1:38 pm

      I have just found your blog after searching for a grain casserole. What an inspiring blog! We have just eaten your grains and greens casserole it was delicious. I used brown rice, barley and green lentils I also chopped a bunch of fresh sage in there and added some sliced tomatoes on the top and served it with a dish of roasted veg. It looked fantastic too and my all-male family didn't complain that it was meatless
      I really love the combination of meat and vegetarian dishes that you have on your blog. I shall be working my way through your recipes. Thank you for sharing !!

      Reply
      • Eric says

        February 21, 2021 at 4:32 pm

        I made it with a little blended tofu instead of eggs and plant-based cheese shreds. No cholesterol or cruelty involved, but really delicious!! Thanks!!

        Reply
        • Carol says

          February 21, 2021 at 6:06 pm

          Hi, Eric, Sounds GREAT and great vegan solutions! Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed!

    4. Jen says

      January 10, 2016 at 7:56 pm

      I came across this recipe after I saw it on vegetarian recipes. I am not a fond of that website because it is full of ads and pop ups, and frankly it is a pain to find the actual link to the recipe they are promoting, but let me tell you folks, am I glad I weeded through that clinky website to find this AMAZING recipe!
      I am not a vegetarian but am trying to eat more vegetable inspired recipes, and this really and truly is the BEST recipe I have ever made, EVER! It is not only delish but also very easy tp put together with little fuss for those with busy schedules. And you are putting together something that is loaded with nutrients and not all the bad for you stuff.
      Thank you for this wonderful recipe, it is quite spectacular, you should win an award, I am so serious...it is that good!

      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        January 11, 2016 at 6:51 am

        Hi, Jen, Thank you so much and I'll take that award....LOL! I don't know which website you're talking about; Bloggers' recipes can show up in all sorts of places. Thank you again and please stay in touch!

        Reply
    5. Jen says

      January 10, 2016 at 7:56 pm

      5 stars
      I came across this recipe after I saw it on vegetarian recipes. I am not a fond of that website because it is full of ads and pop ups, and frankly it is a pain to find the actual link to the recipe they are promoting, but let me tell you folks, am I glad I weeded through that clinky website to find this AMAZING recipe!
      I am not a vegetarian but am trying to eat more vegetable inspired recipes, and this really and truly is the BEST recipe I have ever made, EVER! It is not only delish but also very easy tp put together with little fuss for those with busy schedules. And you are putting together something that is loaded with nutrients and not all the bad for you stuff.
      Thank you for this wonderful recipe, it is quite spectacular, you should win an award, I am so serious...it is that good!

      Thank you!

      Reply
    6. Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says

      December 07, 2015 at 8:42 am

      This casserole looks so comforting! I'd love a slice for dinner with a nice fresh salad.

      Reply
    7. Annie @ Annie's Noms says

      December 07, 2015 at 3:44 am

      Woah, this looks fab! Love that it's healthy as it looks super decadent! 🙂

      Reply
    8. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      December 06, 2015 at 9:07 pm

      This looks and sounds wonderful! Healthy comfort food. And the addition of Swiss cheese is just awesome.

      Reply
    9. Megan Keno says

      December 03, 2015 at 10:48 pm

      What a nice, healthy dinner! I love this idea!

      Reply
    10. Jenn @ Peas and Crayons says

      December 02, 2015 at 10:58 am

      You're a rockstar for juggling both! This casserole looks beyond amazing, such a healthy comfort food twist!

      Reply
    11. Lisa says

      November 30, 2015 at 8:05 am

      Carol I absolutely love your greens and grains casserole! It has all the comfort of a great casserole and none of the guilt - a perfect healthy vegetarian meal.

      Reply
    12. Lisa says

      November 30, 2015 at 8:05 am

      5 stars
      Carol I absolutely love your greens and grains casserole! It has all the comfort of a great casserole and none of the guilt - a perfect healthy vegetarian meal.

      Reply
    13. Kristina says

      November 29, 2015 at 10:06 pm

      this sounds lovely - and I honestly have EVERYTHING to make this right now, even the bok choy! this might be lunch tomorrow... 🙂

      Reply

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