Easy Cheesy Lentil & Rice Casserole

"After trying several complicated lentil recipes with dissatisfaction, I developed this delicious dish that is also so simple! Even my 3 year old loves it! Great side dish or a yummy vegetarian meal."
 
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photo by Fauve photo by Fauve
photo by Fauve
photo by SaraFish photo by SaraFish
Ready In:
50mins
Ingredients:
12
Serves:
4-8
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ingredients

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directions

  • Use a big pot and cook onion in margarine until soft.
  • In a bowl, stir together bouillon and hot water.
  • Add lentils, rice, bouillon-water mixture and cold water.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Lower heat, cover and simmer 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Meanwhile, fry both sides of a slice of bread in oil and sprinkle with Italian Seasoning blend.
  • Cool on rack.
  • After 25 minutes, rice should be cooked and lentils should be cooked but still firm (not mushy) and there should still be some moisture in the mixture.
  • Turn stove off and stir 1 cup of the cheese into the mixture until cheese is melted.
  • Pour mixture into a 9 by 13 pan that has been sprayed with Pam and smooth the top with the back of your spoon.
  • Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over top.
  • Crunch up the cooled fried bread with a knife and sprinkle over casserole.
  • Sprinkle parmesan over casserole.
  • Bake in preheated 350 oven for 15 minutes or so until cheese is melted.
  • Let cool slightly before serving.

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Reviews

  1. This recipe is a keeper here. I made it and my kids all enjoyed it! My 3 yr old and I shared 3 helpings. The following morning my 3 yr old INSISTED on it for breakfast! Now that says something when a lil person will want this over other more "tradional" breakfast foods. Thankyou for posting Sarafish!
     
  2. This was a huge hit, both with the adults and the kids, even my baby had some and liked it. It was easy to prepare and I served it with a simple lettuce vinagrette salad for a complete meal.
     
  3. This is a womderful cheap and cheerful dish. Inexpensive but very filling. My husband and I eat this with a bit of hot sauce on top. It really gives it more flavor. Thanks!
     
  4. Sara, this is delicious! In order to make it totally vegetarian, I used vegetable boullion cubes dissolved in water rather than chicken broth. For the topping, instead of the fried bread, I fried some breadcrumbs in olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper. Then I topped it with los of parmesan cheese. I also seasoned the lentils and cheese mixture with salt and pepper. After baking it for 15 minutes, I put it under the broiler to brown the topping. I was thinking that if adults were eating this, some sliced green olives with pimientos might be a nice touch.'ll definitely make this again.
     
  5. Bland but palatable.
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I'm a stay home mom of two little boys. My husband is a meat and potatoes kinda guy, my little fellas will eat anything, and I'm a vegetarian. One of my favorite things to do is sit and read a cookbook from cover to cover! My favorite cookbooks are ones with pictures of all the dishes.
 
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