Vegetarian Pizza Casserole with White Beans and Rice

This Vegetarian Pizza Casserole with White Beans and Rice recipe checks off so many boxes! It’s meat-free, protein-packed, flavorful, easy to make, and perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. The veggies can be easily customized based on your family’s preferences, and you can choose between white or brown rice. Serve with a side salad, and enjoy.

Surprisingly, we had our first big snow last week, and it definitely feels like casserole weather around here. Casseroles are one of those polarizing meals that can either evoke bad childhood dinner memories or warm feelings of love and support. Personally, I enjoy a cozy casserole recipe, especially when it’s packed with protein and tastes like pizza! This Vegetarian Pizza Casserole with White Beans and Rice comes together easily and is perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Pizza Rice Bake

• It’s easy to make – This pizza casserole recipe requires some time in the oven, but it’s very easy to prepare. The vegetables can be diced up a day or two before, and having cooked rice already on hand saves a ton of time. Use an oven-safe frying pan to cook the veggies, and have a one-pot meal!
• It’s customizable – I love this pizza-bake recipe because the vegetables, or “pizza toppings,” can be changed depending on what you enjoy or have on hand. You can even add some plant-based sausage or pepperoni if you like.
• It’s great for lunch or dinner – This filling casserole is versatile enough to be enjoyed for either lunch or dinner. I like to make a big pan for dinner, and I usually send my husband off with leftovers for a few lunches during the week.

Why Your Body Will Love This Vegetarian Casserole

• Mental Health – This one might sound weird, but I firmly believe that eating a cozy meal is good for your mental health. Cold weather makes our bodies crave warm, casserole-type meals, and this particular casserole recipe is loaded with healthy ingredients, so it will fill you up without weighing you down. This is a great recipe for a friend who may need some extra coziness in their life.
• Digestive Health – A high-fiber diet is imperative for good digestive health, and white beans contain 19 grams of fiber per cup of cooked beans. Beans have a mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber, which greatly benefit the digestive process. Soluble fiber absorbs water in the digestive tract, helping regulate the absorption of nutrients. It also binds to the bile in the digestive tract, carrying out toxins that would otherwise recirculate throughout the body. A diet high in beans is excellent for detoxifying the liver, among many other benefits. Insoluble fiber helps bulk up our stool, ensuring that things run smoothly.
• Immune Health – I tried to use a variety of colorful vegetables for this pizza casserole because bright-colored veggies are packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants protect our bodies from damage caused by free radicals and unstable molecules that can increase disease risk.

Vegetarian Pizza Rice Bake Recipe Ingredients + Substitutions

• Vegetables – I tried to use common pizza toppings, including red and green bell peppers, mushrooms, red onion, and zucchini. You can use any veggies you like, though. Black or green olives would be a great addition.
• White Beans – I used two cans of Great Northern beans because I like how creamy they are. Cannellini beans or even chickpeas could be substituted. If you prefer not to use any beans in this recipe, you can double the rice used.
• Rice – I used two cups of pre-cooked white rice. This meal comes together quickly if you already have some leftover rice. I like to use frozen rice if I don’t have any already-cooked rice. Brown rice or quinoa can be substituted.
• Marinara Sauce – You can use marinara sauce or regular pasta sauce.  The main difference is that marinara is usually a little thicker than jarred pasta sauce.
• Cheese – I used a mixture of shredded mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheese. If you have some on hand, goat cheese or feta would be a great addition. Vegan cheese can easily be substituted.
• Seasonings – I like to add some dried oregano, fresh parsley, and garlic for extra flavor. 

How To Make A Pizza Rice Bake

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil, diced bell peppers, onion, zucchini, and mushrooms. Season with a pinch of salt and cook the veggies until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix together and cook for another 2-3 minutes. I like to reduce the heat so my vegetables get nicely browned.
3. Next, add the white beans, rice, and marinara sauce. Mix until completely combined, then turn the heat off. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese and the fresh herbs. You can also add extra salt if needed.
4. Transfer the entire mixture to an oven-safe baking dish. Evenly top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese and cover tightly with foil. Bake the pizza casserole for 20 minutes with the foil on, then remove the foil and bake for another 7-10 minutes until the cheese is completely melted. You can broil the top for a minute or two if needed.
5. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. If desired, garnish with fresh parsley, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes, and enjoy.

Casserole Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

• This recipe is already gluten-free.
• Make this pizza casserole vegan by using your favorite meltable vegan cheese.
• How many servings does this recipe make? Depending on their size, it makes 4-6 servings. 
• What should this casserole be served with? I suggest serving it with a side salad, breadsticks, garlic bread, or your favorite veggie side dish. It is hearty enough to stand alone, though, especially when enjoyed for lunch.
• Is this recipe freezer-friendly? Yes, I suggest assembling the casserole in a freezer-friendly container, secure it tightly, and freeze it for up to 3 months instead of placing it in the oven. Leftovers that have already been cooked can also be frozen if needed.
• How long do leftovers last? Leftovers should last 4-5 days if stored in an airtight container.
• What is the best way to reheat leftovers? Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in the oven at 425 degrees F until warmed through.

Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP.

Looking For More Easy Vegetarian Casserole Recipes?

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Rice and Bean Taco Casserole

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Bean and Cheese Enchilada Casserole

Vegetarian Pizza Casserole with White Beans and Rice

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• Author: She Likes Food
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4-6 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Vegetarian Pizza Casserole with White Beans and Rice checks off so many boxes! It’s meat-free, protein packed, full of flavor, easy to make and perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. The veggies can be easily customized based on what you family likes, and you can choose between white or brown rice. Serve with a side salad and enjoy.

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Ingredients

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• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 small zucchini, diced (1–2 cups)
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 small red onion, diced
• 1 cup diced mushrooms, I used white button
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 (15 oz) cans white beans, I used great northern beans
• 2 cups cooked rice, white or brown
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F.  Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil, diced bell peppers, onion, zucchini and mushrooms.  Season with a pinch of salt and cook veggies until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add in the minced garlic, dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.  Mix together and cook for another 2-3 minutes.  I like to turn up the heat a little bit so that my vegetables get nicely browned.
3. Next, add in the white beans, rice and marinara sauce.  Mix together until completely combined and turn the heat off.  Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese and the fresh herbs.  You can also add extra salt at this time, if needed.
4. Transfer the entire mixture to an oven safe baking dish.*  Evenly top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese and cover tightly with foil.  Bake the pizza casserole for 20 minutes with the foil on, remove foil and bake for another 7-10 minutes, until cheese is completely melted.  You can broil the top for a minute or two, if needed.
5. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.  Garnish with fresh parsley, parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, if desired, and enjoy.

Notes

*If you have an oven safe frying pan, you don’t need to transfer the mixture to a different dish.  You can just sprinkle the cheese right on and stick it in the oven.

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins
• Category: Dinner, Vegetarian
• Method: Stovetop, Oven
• Cuisine: American