Luby’s Cafeteria-Style Dishes: Classic Comfort Food Favorites

A variety of Luby's cafeteria-style dishes including comfort food favorites.

This warm, simple casserole is a Luby’s cafeteria style dish that is easy to make at home. It uses cooked chicken, broccoli, rice, and a creamy mushroom soup sauce. If you like classic comfort food, you might also enjoy a similar homemade Chicago-style dish for another easy family meal.

Why make this recipe

This recipe is quick, uses common ingredients, and tastes like a comforting cafeteria meal. It is a great way to use leftover chicken and rice. Many people love dishes that bring back warm memories, such as the best cafeteria recipe from college for its simple, familiar flavors.

Luby's Cafeteria-Style Dishes: Classic Comfort Food Favorites

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1 cup cooked broccoli florets
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil or butter for greasing and drizzling

Luby's Cafeteria Style Dish

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, broccoli, rice, cream of mushroom soup, milk, and half of the cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. This mix makes an easy base similar to an amazing dish idea you can make any night.
  3. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
  4. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and sprinkle bread crumbs over the top.
  5. Drizzle olive oil or melted butter on the bread crumbs.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown on top.
  7. Let it cool slightly before serving.

Serving

Serve hot in squares or scoops. This goes well with a simple side salad or warm rolls. A spoonful of sour cream or a dash of hot sauce at the table also works for extra flavor.

Storage

  • Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
  • Freezer: Cool fully, then freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
  • Reheat: Warm in the oven at 325°F (160°C) until heated through, or microwave in short bursts.

Tips

  • Use day-old rice or leftover cooked rice for the best texture.
  • If you like it creamier, add a few tablespoons more milk.
  • For a crunchier top, mix the bread crumbs with a little melted butter before sprinkling.
  • For a grilled twist on the side, try recipes for a great backyard BBQ dish to serve alongside.
  • Taste the mix before baking and adjust salt and pepper.

Variations

  • Add cooked bacon or ham for more savory flavor.
  • Swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken for a milder taste.
  • Stir in peas or mushrooms for more vegetables.
  • Use different cheeses like Swiss or Monterey Jack for a new twist. For a beloved annual favorite, try combining flavors like the best dish I make every year by adding a special cheese mix.

Luby's Cafeteria Style Dish

FAQs

Q: Can I use uncooked rice?
A: No. Use cooked rice so the casserole bakes evenly and the rice does not stay hard.

Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Yes. Replace the chicken with extra vegetables or a meat substitute and use cream of mushroom soup that is vegetarian.

Q: How can I make this lower in fat?
A: Use low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese, and reduce the bread crumb amount or use panko that is toasted with little oil.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes. Use a larger baking dish and increase baking time a bit; check until bubbly and golden.

Q: Is it okay to freeze after baking?
A: Yes. Cool fully, wrap well, and freeze. Reheat from thawed for best texture.

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