Description
This comforting baked rice dish combines the heartiness of rice with the creamy goodness of feta cheese and a colorful medley of vegetables. It’s a one-pan wonder that brings together fresh flavors and wholesome ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekend gatherings.
Ingredients
- Long-grain rice (or basmati or jasmine rice)
- Bell peppers
- Zucchini
- Cherry tomatoes
- Feta cheese (or goat cheese or dairy-free alternative)
- Fresh herbs (like basil or parsley, or dried herbs like oregano or thyme)
- Vegetable broth (or chicken or beef broth)
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (about 400°F).
- Prepare the vegetables: Chop your selected vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Aim for uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
- Sauté the vegetables: In a large oven-safe skillet or dish, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add rice: Stir in the uncooked rice, mixing it well with the sautéed vegetables. This helps the rice absorb all those lovely flavors.
- Add broth: Pour in the vegetable (or chicken/beef) broth, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Add feta: Crumble the feta cheese over the top of the mixture. Don’t worry about it mixing in too much; we want some nice chunks of feta to remain.
- Season: Season with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs. Give it a gentle stir to combine.
- Bake: Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
- Rest: Once done, remove it from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork before serving. Garnish with additional herbs if desired, and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Feel free to add different spices like paprika or cumin for an extra flavor kick. If you want to add protein, consider mixing in chickpeas or cooked chicken, beef, or even shrimp after the baking is complete. For cheese lovers, consider adding a sprinkle of grated Parmesan on top before baking for an added cheesy crust.