Description
If comfort had a casserole version, this rice recipe would be it. This rice recipe isn’t fancy. It doesn’t ask you to measure perfectly or shop for anything special. It just wants you to grab what you’ve got, have some fun, and trust the process.
It’s cozy, it’s cheesy, it’s completely customizable—and it all started with a toddler and a wild imagination.
Ingredients
Base
- 2 cups cooked ground beef (seasoned however you like)
- 2 cups cooked white rice (leftover rice is perfect)
Add-Ins
- 2 cups cooked mixed veggies (peas, carrots, corn… whatever’s hanging around—frozen bags work too)
- 6 green olives, chopped
- 1 ripe banana (yes, you read that right—sweet and soft like a nanica or a Dole banana)
Cheese Layer
- A few slices of mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Optional Garnish
- Purple basil (or sub with whatever fresh herbs you’ve got handy)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grab your baking dish—a tall casserole dish works best since we’re layering. A ceramic one like this deep, oven-safe version keeps things warm and bakes evenly. Prefer to see those cheesy layers? A clear glass casserole dish with handles is also a great pick and easy to clean.
- Start layering: ground beef first (the base flavor boost), then rice.
- Next up: veggies—spread them evenly across.
- Here comes the fun: banana slices. Just enough to make it sweet-meets-savory and, yes, a little “crazy.”
- Add a final thin layer of ground beef, then scatter some onions if you’ve got them.
- Top it all with mozzarella slices and a shower of grated Parmesan.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the top is melted, golden, and irresistible.
- Garnish with basil, serve warm, and prepare for the applause.
Notes
Can I skip the banana?
You can—but then it’s just rice casserole. The banana is what makes it “crazy” and oddly wonderful.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Absolutely. Skip the cheese or use your favorite dairy-free option. It’s still hearty and flavorful.
How do I store leftovers?
Fridge for up to 3 days. Freezer for up to 2 months. Just reheat in the oven or microwave.
Can I prep this rice recipe it in advance?
Yes! Assemble the layers, cover, and store in the fridge. Bake just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: One Pot
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Worldwide
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (~300g)
- Calories: 435
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg