Equipment Needed
- A medium mixing bowl
- A sturdy spatula or spoon
- A standard 8×8 inch or 2-quart baking dish
- Aluminum foil
Step-by-Step Instructions
I start by preheating my oven to 350°F (175°C). This gives it plenty of time to get perfectly even and hot while I mix everything, which takes no time at all. In my mixing bowl, I combine the 2 cups of cooled rice with the entire can of cream of chicken soup. I get in there with my spatula and fold it together until every single grain of rice is coated in that creamy, savory goodness. It will look like a very thick, cohesive mixture, which is exactly what you want.
Next, I stir in one and a half cups of my freshly shredded cheddar cheese. I save that remaining half cup for the glorious top layer. Mixing most of the cheese right into the body of the casserole is what creates that amazing, stringy, cheesy pull in every single bite. I make sure it’s fully incorporated, then I scrape the whole mixture into my ungreased baking dish. I use the back of my spoon to press it into an even layer, getting into the corners.
This is the most important step for texture, in my opinion: I evenly sprinkle that reserved half cup of cheese over the entire top. I like to go right to the edges, because those crispy, baked cheese corners are a coveted treat in my house. Then, I tightly cover the dish with a piece of aluminum foil. This initial covered bake is crucial—it steams the casserole, heating it through perfectly and allowing all the flavors to meld without drying out or over-browning the top too soon.
I bake it covered for 25 minutes. The wait is worth it, I promise. When the timer goes off, my kitchen already smells incredible. I carefully remove the foil (watch out for the steam!) and then return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for another 10-12 minutes. This final blast is where the magic happens: the cheese on top gets beautifully golden, bubbly, and develops those irresistible crispy bits. I let it rest for about 5 minutes after pulling it out—this helps it set up just enough for perfect serving.(See the next page below to continue…)