
Baked rice with tomatoes has its roots in Mediterranean cooking and stands out as a super easy, crowd-pleasing meal. The mix of juicy tomatoes with melty cheese and fluffy rice creates a filling yet light dinner option. The chopped tomatoes add a refreshing tang that works amazingly well with the gooey cheese on top.
INGREDIENTS- Rice: 300 g Arborio rice, famous for getting creamy when cooked.
- Veggie stock: 500 ml, to cook the rice and add flavor.
- Tomatoes: 400 g chopped tomatoes (canned or fresh works).
- Onion: 1 medium-sized onion (about 100 g), chopped finely.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, chopped up.
- Cheese: 150 g shredded mozzarella or parmesan for topping.
- Olive oil: 3 tablespoons for sautéing onions and garlic.
- Oregano: 1 teaspoon dried oregano for that Mediterranean kick.
- Salt and pepper: to taste, for seasoning your dish.
- Parsley: if you want, chop some fresh parsley for garnish.
- Step 1:
- Warm your oven to 180°C (conventional heating).
- Step 2:
- Heat the olive oil in a pan and cook the chopped onion and garlic until they're soft and clear.
- Step 3:
- Toss in the rice and cook until it looks slightly see-through.
- Step 4:
- Mix in tomatoes and veggie stock, add oregano, salt and pepper. Bring everything to a boil then let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 5:
- Pour the cooked rice into a baking dish, sprinkle cheese on top and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Serve this dish while it's hot, right after taking it out of the oven.
- You can keep leftovers in the fridge and reheat them within 2 days.
- Want to make it vegan? Just swap the cheese for a plant-based alternative.
- This dish is easy to customize with extra veggies like bell peppers or zucchini.
Chef secrets
- Try adding a bit of chili to give the dish some spicy kick.
People love this dish because it's so simple to make and the mix of melted cheese, tomatoes and rice just works perfectly together. That crispy top layer from baking makes it totally irresistible.
What goes well with it?A crisp green salad or some roasted veggies make perfect sides for this hearty dish.
FAQs- Can I use brown rice instead? Sure, just remember it'll need more cooking time.
- Is this dish freezer-friendly? Yes, it freezes well and can be reheated later.
