Kale and cheese rice casserole
Leila Ahmed
Leila Ahmed
Reporter · Syracuse, NY
A graduate of the University at Buffalo, Leila has spent five years in journalism, previously working at a community-focused news outlet in Rochester, NY. She specializes in uncovering the diverse voices and cultural richness of Syracuse’s neighborhoods, bringing their stories to light.
More from Leila →Reporter · Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:38 PM · 1 min read
Kale takes the place of broccoli in this rustic spin on a classic Southern casserole, adding lightness and leafy greens to the Thanksgiving spread. Tuscan kale, cooked down in a lovely thin white sauce, is mixed with plump rice and white Cheddar and baked into a satisfying side dish. A final grating of Parmesan on top gets crisp and toasty in the oven.