Enjoy perfect Baked Rice every time—a great base for add-ins!
Do you have a favorite childhood memory involving rice? I used to absolutely love homemade rice pudding with a little bit of cinnamon. Now, I wish my mom had known about baked rice because she could have added apples from our orchard to it. That would’ve been tasty!
Rice is such an easy, inexpensive base for so many types of dishes. It’s easy to prepare it with veggies, fruit, cheese, fish, or meat. It can be a savory or sweet dish, and it can be different each time you prepare it. But if you’re like me, you don’t want to crowd your countertop with a rice cooker. I’m happy to report, this baked rice recipe proves you don’t need one! The rice cooks up nice and fluffy without any goopy globs. As an added bonus, you can prepare it in an oven-safe serving dish so you can take it straight from the oven to the table with ease, possibly stopping on the way for add-ins like sautéed mushrooms, shredded cheese, or roasted Brussels sprouts.
Is Baked Rice Healthy?
Rice is a staple ingredient around the world and can be found in many forms. This recipe uses long-grain white rice, which is fairly nutritionally neutral. Since white rice is processed, it’s stripped of many of the vitamins and minerals that are found in the grain’s natural form. That said, it can be a fantastic option for anyone with digestive issues, as it’s easy on the stomach.
If you want to make this recipe a bit more nutritionally dense, you can swap a heart-healthy oil for the butter (like olive or avocado oil). Brown rice can be substituted for white, but the cooking time will need to be adjusted accordingly, as it may take twice as long to bake. But if it’s health benefits you’re after, brown rice has more fiber, protein, B vitamins, and other nutrients like magnesium, iron, and zinc.
Baked Rice Is A Blank Canvas
Now for the fun part. So many foods go well with rice. Experiment with your favorites, and think creatively!
Take fruits, for example. You could mix some diced or sliced pineapple in toward the end of the cooking time. Or, cut apples into small chunks to cook directly with the rice. You could also cook some sliced apples with cinnamon separately and add them in after the rice has finished baking, fluffing it all together. Peaches or apricots will work, too.
For veggies, add broccoli or asparagus, peas, cauliflower, corn, and so on. You’re only limited by your preferences. Add cheeses of many varieties with the veggies—cube some cheddar, slice some Havarti, shred some Parmesan, or sprinkle some feta. Seafood goes well with rice, too! Try adding shrimp, salmon, or cod. Then, start mixing food groups together. Pineapple and asparagus with salmon. Or broccoli and cheddar and chicken.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Rice can be kept in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 6 months. Rice should be fully cooled before storing. One method is to spread it out on a baking sheet to cool before refrigeration. To reheat the rice, add a few tablespoons of water, cover, and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring often, until heated through. Or stir in the water, add a tablespoon or two of olive oil, and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
Serving suggestions
So many foods go well with or as part of baked rice, and the options really are near limitless. For a hearty meal, try serving it alongside some Salmon And Asparagus or as the base of a Grilled Beef Stir-Fry. It would also pair well with some simple Baked Chicken Legs or General Tso’s Tofu.
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 cups boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a 2-quart or larger baking dish, combine the rice, butter, and salt.
- Carefully pour in the boiling water and stir until the butter is completely melted.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Remove from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes, covered. Then, fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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