Baked North Dakota Wild Rice Casserole with Mushrooms

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-13 · Updated 2026-05-13

A hearty baked casserole combining nutty wild rice with sautéed mushrooms and creamy cheese, inspired by the regional flavors of North Dakota. This American-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 85 minutes, pairs wild rice, water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup wild rice
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup wild rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until tender and water is absorbed.
2. Step 2: While rice cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent. Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking for an additional 6 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and edges brown.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves into the mushroom mixture, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked wild rice, mushroom mixture, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup sour cream. Mix until evenly incorporated.
5. Step 5: Transfer the mixture to a greased 8x8 inch baking dish. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp melted butter, then sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
6. Step 6: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until the top is golden brown and cheese is bubbling. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.