This can easily be labeled a skinny recipe. It packs different textures – thanks to the different types of rice and cheese, flavors, has a spicy kick and is rather low in fat.
Years ago, a trend started here, followed religiously by my mother at some point, that included half a small butternut squash filled with whole-grain rice and covered with low fat melted cheese.
It became all the rage and appeared in many restaurant menus as a skinny option. This is my take on that.
I give credit to this recipe for making me eat light and quite healthy.
It has few ingredients, fills you up and still keeps you energized. Rice and squash are a wonderful pair, with completely different textures and bites.
Add queso fresco (semi-soft cheese) and you have a tasty dish.
Seasonal squash.
I love to make this during the fall and winter when the squash is bright orange and flavorful. If you make it with that light orange, rather anemic butternut squash, the flavor will be bland.
The butternut squash layer gets extra roasted from the second bake with the rice, and the top gets crispy from the last drizzle of olive oil.
About Queso fresco.
It is a staple here, a type of cheese that is widely used, even in pizzas.
Nowadays there are many variations, and they all melt wonderfully, one of the main reasons queso fresco is so popular.
This recipe uses the whole fat kind because I think low-fat cheese is not worth it much, I’d rather use less of the good kind. But that’s a personal preference.
Types of rice for this recipe.
Wild rice, is dark and thin grained, with a nutty flavor that is so unique and it has a chewiness very different from any other rice. It’s a great rice for a cold salad with dried fruits and nuts.
Basmati rice is white with slender grains. Very aromatic, it has a great bite.
Other recipes you might like:
Basmati Rice with Salsa Verde
Persian Jeweled Rice
Cinnamon Rice Pudding
Quick Pickled Cucumbers
Spinach Lemon Pesto
Royal Pesto Potato Salad
Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Dip
Let me know if you make this recipe! I’d love to hear what you think about it.
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This can easily be labeled a skinny recipe. It packs different textures – thanks to the different types of rice and cheese, flavors, has a spicy kick and is rather low in fat.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cooked wild rice
- ¾ cup cooked basmati rice
- 1 pound 4oz butternut squash, cubed
- Olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (divided)
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 3 to 4 oz queso fresco, diced
- Lime juice, freshly squeezed (optional but very recommended by a reader!)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF / 190ºC
- Drizzle a roasting pan with some olive oil, add the butternut squash, move it around to coat in the oil, and sprinkle over half each of the smoked paprika, turmeric and cayenne and the cumin seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Roast for 30 minutes.
- Transfer to a ceramic oven-proof pan. Top with half of the queso fresco.
- In a bowl mix both cooked rices with the rest of the spices and salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with the rest of the queso fresco and drizzle with some olive oil.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, then turn on the top broiler and broil the casserole for about 5 minutes, until it’s bubbly and blistered.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice on top right before serving if you want, an idea from a reader which I strongly suggest.
- Eat as soon as you can.
Notes
Rice: yamani can be used also.
Cheese: mozzarella can substitute the queso fresco.
Keywords: wild rice casserole, wild rice and squash
I love this recipe. HIGHLY recommend squeezing lots of fresh lime juice over it before serving.
You're so right Darby!
I made this last weekend. Pretty good, but it wasn't as fabulous as I expected. I ate all the leftovers happily, but I wish everything had melded a little more.
You know, I was going to add some cream, but then decided I wanted it lower in fat. Hope you enjoyed it anyway!
Oh this looks fabulous. I love the spicy rice and queso fresco addition… this just looks like a wonderful fall dish that I could eat quite a bit of. Yum!
WOW thank looks fabulous Paula! I love Queso Fresco 🙂
"few ingredients, fills you up and still keeps you energized " is really how we have always liked to cook and have been trying to get back to this simple concept. What a wonderful recipe and I'm thinking a creamy goat cheese on top. This is a great vegetarian meal, too.
Lovely Paula, rice is perfect for this recipe.
Gorgeous dish Paula! I've never actually used whole turmeric before, they're fascinating to look at. Love that image of the cheesy forkful, yum! So good to have nutritious dishes in the repertoire that are also delicious like this one xx
Oh, my oh my! this looks so good. I remember when my dad was in Mayo clinic in Minnesota having heart surgery. I flew up to visit and found myself buying wild rice. Love it! He survived but the rice is now gone! Got to buy more!
I don't think I"d be willing to share this dish with others – it looks SO good! My favorite type of rice is hard to say – I do love wild rice…but sometimes sticky white rice is so magical too…
I wish so badly that I could get queso fresco here. I know I could just substitute the cheese but nothing tops queso fresco for certain dishes.
I love the spice with the wild rice. I tend to think tame and herby when it comes to rice. Time to break out of my bubble!
This looks so delicious – that gooey cheese with the sweet, earthy squash? Heaven.
I love this type of meals! This one looks fantastic, Paula. A beautiful idea…and the photos…yummy!
What a fun mix of flavors in this dish, I love the spicy addition! This would be a lovely Thanksgiving side dish! Gorgeous, Hugs, Terra
looks deliciosu paula! no queso fresco here, but i'm thinking salty feta would contrast nicely, or some squidgy mozzarella might give a nice strecth to the dish.
Oh this looks gorgeous Paula and I love the turmeric and cumin in your squash.Looks like the perfect comforting meal for the winter with the lovely melted cheese on top!So yum!
Your photos are gorgeous. This sounds fantastic, great flavors!
This looks amazing! I love wild rice, especially with butternut squash and all of that melted cheese on top… yum!
Oh my…what a beautiful recipe. My mouth is watering just by looking at your gorgeous pictures. 🙂 I adore Butternut Squash and can't wait to make this recipe.