There are exactly as many special occasions in life as we choose to celebrate. ~Robert Brault
The other day I posted this quote on the Southern Bite Facebook page and it really struck a chord with a lot of people. So much so that I thought it deserved a more prominent place with the Southern Bite family. The truth is, we do have exactly how ever many celebrations that we choose to have.
Growing up, my Mom did an excellent job making everyday victories seem special. I guess you could say we celebrated a lot. It didn’t have to be anything more than a special snack waiting for me when I got home from school or my favorite dessert after supper; it was just a little something to celebrate a success or victory.
I wasn’t much of a sports kid, but longed for the neat trophies to display in my room like my sports-centered friends had. I even played a season of baseball hoping for a shiny trophy in the end. I guess I just wanted something to show off my accomplishments. And what better to do that than a trophy? Well, each year after the final report card, Mom would head down to the trophy shop and have a trophy made just for me saying “All A Honor Roll” or something like that just so that I had something to show like my friends.
You see, it doesn’t have to be anything huge or elaborate. It’s just important to take the time to acknowledge the little victories in life. I think you might find later on that the little things we’re actually the big ones.
What do you need to be celebrating today?
This Cheesy Corn and Rice Casserole is one of those recipes that always seems to make its way to the table for family gatherings and holidays. I’m not sure what it is about the cheesy goodness that makes it so popular, but it is certainly a favorite with my family.
Savory yellow rice combines with whole kernel corn, cream of chicken soup, butter, and sharp cheddar cheese to create a side dish that’s just as easy as it is delicious!
Recipe Card
Cheesy Corn and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 (5-ounce) packet yellow rice mix
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (15.25-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the rice according to package directions.
- Combine cooked rice, cream of chicken, corn, and butter; mix well.
- Pour into the prepared casserole dish. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from oven, top with cheese, and return to oven until cheese is melted.
I’m making this today and it’s not my first time but I mixed everything together including the cheese. I hope it’ll taste ok, just got in a rush!! I fuss at my daughters all the time for not reading directions, now look at me, reading them and still messing up!
Ha! I’m sure it will be delicious!
I made a double batch of this for the first time last thanksgiving and it was a big hit! It has been requested that I bring a quadruple batch for thanksgiving, so that’s what I’m going to do! My entire family loved it!!
Awesome! Love to hear about my recipes making it to folks’ Thanksgiving menus and to have something requested again is a true honor! Happy Thanksgiving!
This is going to be delicious! I am adding some salt, pepper and hot sauce and I’m thinking putting a layer of zucchini slices on the top. Going to serve slow cooker beef stew meat over the top of it.
That sounds amazing, Cathy! Hope you enjoy it!
I am bringing this to a family potluck. How many servings do you think this recipe feeds. I’m thinking I may need to double or triple. Thanks!
I think you could get about 6. Hope y’all enjoy!
Can you use a can of cream corn instead of kernel corn??
I have never tried this but it should work. The dish will more than likely end up a lot sweeter though!
Would like to know where to find a 5oz packet of yellow rice and the brand. Thank you.
I buy it at my local grocery stores or even Walmart. I use the Vigo brand most often.
Where do you get a 5oz packet of yellow rice?
I buy it at my local grocery stores or even Walmart. I use the Vigo brand most often.
I made this as a main dinner dish simply adding two cans of drained tuna and subbing creamed corn for moisture. It was AMAZING!! The original recipe will now be my side for the family holidays, thank you for such and easy and delicious meal ????
Way to make it your own! So glad you enjoyed it!
A colleague brought this to a TGIF luncheon at school, but he was reluctant to share the recipe. This is a happy find. I want to send this to a dude in Dallas, but he will search the internet until he finds a better recipe to send back. Duuuuh…. Thanks for sharing.
Ha! Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Can you use white rice?
Yellow rice has so much great flavor, I’m just not sure it would be the same with plain white rice.
My late wife made it with write rice as she was not very adventurous and it was good, but the yellow rice sounds extra good. Definitely going to try it as now I’m a more adventurous cook.
Sure hope you’ll enjoy it!
this sounds wonderful, can’t wait to make it
Hope you’ll enjoy it!
The recipe sounds so good!!! Loved your story too!!! Our daughter purchased all of the things her 5 year old needed for ballet classes and with her not knowing anyone and not wanting to be without her mommy being in there, she did not want to go back the next week and it pondered on her little heart all week. She stopped dancing. When my daughter called the dance studio and explained what was happening to her , they were so understanding. The moment she found out she did not have to go back she asked if she could have her stuff still and her mommy said “Yes”. I wished everyone that may read this could have seen her. After hugging her mommy and I, she put all of her ballet suit on and danced all over the room to Christian songs. I told my daughter that never would it be her 10 minutes of “shame”, but her 10 minutes of “fame” and she was dancing for GOD and us and that was OK. Two years has passed and she’s still shy, but if only GOD and us know that she would be a good ballerina, gymnast, or cheerleader that would be OK too!!! Thank you for all of the recipes and stories too!!! God bless you!!!
Thanks for sharing your sweet story! It’s so important to celebrate things in life, even if they seem small.
I saute a little onion, celery and red bell pepper in butter till softened and add to this…extra good and colorful too.
Sounds wonderful! What a GREAT addition!
OH MAN….bet this would go over really well with my friends and I for Thanksgiving dinner
I bet so, Robert. We almost always have it at Thanksgiving! And it’s SO easy.
Now this looks good! My better half LOVES anything with corn so I’ll surely be making this.
Wonderful! I hope y’all enjoy it!
I made this for the first time tonight for dinner, and it was out of this world delicious. My one son said, he could of eaten the whole pan by himself. I loved it as well, as it was fast and easy to make. And not high in calories at all. I would recommend this recipe to others to try. I used Vigo Authentic Saffron Yellow Rice. On a scale of 1 to 10 my family gives this one a 10+!
Wonderful, Evonne! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it!!