Description
This hearty Vegetable Casserole combines tender mixed vegetables, creamy mushroom soup, and melted cheddar cheese with a crispy Ritz cracker topping. It's a comforting and easy-to-make dish perfect for a wholesome family meal with a creamy texture and irresistible crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 10.5 oz. condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 heaping cups frozen broccoli
- 3 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 2 cups cooked rice (white long grain rice recommended)
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Topping
- 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed (about ¾ sleeve)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onion: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the finely diced onions and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Mix Cream Base: Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, garlic salt, salt, mustard powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Combine thoroughly.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the mixture and stir until thoroughly melted and incorporated.
- Heat Vegetables: Add the frozen broccoli and mixed vegetables to the pot and cook until they are heated through. Remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
- Add Eggs and Rice: Stir in the whisked eggs and cooked rice until evenly combined within the vegetable mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven to heat through and allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare Topping: While baking, combine the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter in a small bowl.
- Add Topping and Bake Uncovered: Remove the casserole from the oven, evenly sprinkle the buttered cracker topping on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the topping is golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm as a comforting main or side dish.
Notes
- Rice: Cooking rice in chicken broth or adding a bouillon cube enhances the flavor significantly.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Homemade versions of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup can be used for a fresh taste.
- Cheese: Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Yellow cheese provides the best flavor; a mix of white and yellow cheddar works well too.
- Vegetable Options: Try carrots, peas, green beans, corn, cauliflower, mushrooms, spinach, or kale for variety.
- Fresh Vegetables: Steam or cook fresh veggies until about 90% tender before adding to the casserole.
- Toppings: Crispy fried onions are an excellent alternative to the Ritz cracker topping.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to two days in advance. Refrigerate covered and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking, adding 10–15 minutes to the covered baking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
