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Baked Rice with Mushrooms

Featured in Family Dinner Ideas.

Grab your rice and mushrooms - fresh ones taste best but canned work too in a pinch. Wash that rice till the water runs clear, then let it soak a bit. While that's happening, cook those mushrooms slow to get all their good flavor out. Layer everything in a deep pan with rich broth - beef or veggie both work nice. Cover it tight and pop it in a hot oven. Let it cook slow till the rice gets tender and soaks up all that mushroom taste. Takes bout an hour, but your house starts smelling amazing way before then. Add some butter at the end, maybe even a splash of cream if you're feeling fancy. Makes enough to feed a crowd, or have leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.

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Fatiha
Updated on Fri, 02 May 2025 12:23:24 GMT
A close-up of a cheesy casserole featuring ground beef, mushrooms, and rice topped with melted cheddar cheese and garnished with parsley. Pin it
A close-up of a cheesy casserole featuring ground beef, mushrooms, and rice topped with melted cheddar cheese and garnished with parsley. | zestplate.com

Whip up this beloved Southern classic - Mushroom Rice Bake. Folks nickname it 'church lady rice' since it appeared at every church potluck. Combine savory mushrooms, rich beef broth, and melted butter with fluffy rice for a taste that screams down-home cooking.

Benefits of This Tasty Rice

This down-home comfort dish couldn't be simpler to throw together. Just pop open a few cans, toss in some butter, and let your oven handle the rest. You can fix it beforehand and reheat when needed. The crust turns wonderfully golden and crunchy, and guests always beg to know how you made it.

What You Need

  • Butter: A whole stick, nothing beats the real thing
  • White Rice: Go for the long grain variety
  • French Onion Soup: Just one can needed
  • Beef Consomme: Adds incredible depth
  • Mushrooms: Either canned or fresh will do the trick

How To Make Mushroom Rice Bake

Begin With Butter:
Drop your stick of butter into a large casserole dish - an 11 x 13 size works wonderfully.
Get It Melted:
Slide the dish into a 350° oven. Wait until butter completely liquefies.
Combine Ingredients:
Carefully remove hot dish and dump in your rice, both soup cans, and mushrooms directly into that pool of butter.
Mix Well:
Stir everything thoroughly so each grain of rice gets nicely coated.
Cook It Through:
Return to the oven for around 35 minutes until the surface turns beautifully golden.
Time to Test:
When finished, rice should feel tender and most liquid should be absorbed.

Potluck Champion

You'd spot this rice dish at every Southern church gathering. That's why everyone calls it 'church lady rice.' Folks always grabbed seconds, and someone would inevitably ask for the recipe. It's the kind of food that triggers warm memories of family reunions and community meals.

Fuss-Free Cooking

You don't need any special kitchen skills to nail this one. Just throw together some canned ingredients with butter and rice, then let your oven take over. While it bubbles away, you've got time to chat with your guests or finish other dinner prep. It turns out great every single time.

A close-up view of a creamy baked rice dish topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped parsley and mushrooms. Pin it
A close-up view of a creamy baked rice dish topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped parsley and mushrooms. | zestplate.com

Genuine Butter Matters

Skip the margarine - only real butter gives this dish its magic. The butter seeps into the mixture and creates an incredibly rich flavor. Try to grab unsalted butter if possible because the soup already brings plenty of saltiness.

Prep In Advance

Got plans later? Fix this ahead and warm it up when dinner rolls around. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or in your oven at a low temperature. Just what you need when life gets crazy but you still want something homestyle on the table.

Rice Selection Tips

Grab long grain varieties like Uncle Ben's for best results. If you choose fresh mushrooms over canned ones, sauté them in butter beforehand. This brings out their flavor before they join the rest of your ingredients.

Helpful Hints

Try not to open the oven door too often as this lets heat escape. Test the rice when time's up - it should feel tender but still have some bite. A splash of hot water helps if things look too dry. Let everything rest about five minutes after cooking so the flavors can really come together.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Fresh or can mushrooms?

Fresh taste better. Cut em same size. Cook out water first. Clean em don't wash. More work but worth it.

→ Need different broth?

Plain beef works fine. Even chicken's good. Watch the salt though. Clear broth's best. Just need rich taste.

→ Want no meat stuff?

Veggie broth works. Mushroom stock too. Season it good though. Still gets rich taste. Add more herbs maybe.

→ Need it no wheat?

Check your broths good. Rice is safe though. Season plain first. Might need more taste. Watch all your stuff.

→ What goes with it?

Green salad's nice. Steamed veggies work. Crusty bread too. Something light's best. Fresh stuff cuts rich.

→ Rice not cooking?

Check your heat good. More liquid helps. Cover it tight. Give it more time. Test few spots.

→ Taking it places?

Keep it hot wrapped. Bring extra broth. Heat up there. Pack it deep. Maybe take backup.

→ Need it quick?

Use quick rice maybe. Have stuff ready. Hot oven helps. Skip extra steps. Still tastes good.

→ Making big batch?

Double works fine. Need bigger pan. More time maybe. Watch liquid amount. Stir half through.

→ Want more flavor?

Add more herbs fresh. Try garlic too. Mix mushroom kinds. Season each step. Even wine helps.

→ Getting too wet?

Less broth next time. Leave top off bit. Rice might need wash. Hot oven helps dry. Let rest after.

→ Need it creamier?

Add soft cheese in. Splash of cream. More butter helps. Stir near end. Don't make too wet.

Conclusion

Like this? Try creamy mushroom rice next. Or make stuffed mushrooms. Both got that earth taste.

Baked Rice with Mushrooms

Cozy rice mushroom dish.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Southern

Yield: 12 Servings (12 servings)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 stick butter or margarine.
02 1 cup long grain white rice.
03 1 can Campbell's French onion soup.
04 1 can Campbell's beef consomme.
05 1 carton sliced mushrooms or 8-oz canned sliced mushrooms.

Instructions

Step 01

Place a stick of butter in an 11 x 13-inch casserole dish.

Step 02

Put the dish in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C), and allow the butter to melt.

Step 03

Once melted, carefully remove the dish from the oven. Add the rice, French onion soup, beef consomme, and sliced mushrooms to the dish, allowing them to pool atop the melted butter.

Step 04

Gently stir with a fork or spoon, ensuring the rice is well dispersed throughout the liquid.

Step 05

Place the dish back in the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and inviting.

Notes

  1. Consider using fresh mushrooms for an added earthy flavor.
  2. This dish pairs excellently with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables.

Tools You'll Need

  • 11 x 13-inch casserole dish.
  • Oven.
  • Fork or spoon.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 127
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 7 g
  • Protein: 3 g