Description
A flavorful and creamy Pesto Rice Bake combining tender rice, savory pesto, chickpeas, mushrooms, and a blend of cheeses, baked to perfection for a comforting vegetarian dinner.
Ingredients
Rice and Broth
- 1 3/4 cups vegetable broth (I use vegetable bouillon)
- 1 cup medium grain rice (long grain also works)
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 15 ounce can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms (roughly chopped)
- 1 medium shallot (diced, optional)
- 1 teaspoon dry parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheeses
- 3 ounces neufchatel cream cheese, cut into cubes (light cream cheese, optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Garnish
- Fresh basil (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring Broth to Boil: Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a kettle or pot to prepare for baking. Meanwhile, rinse the rice well under cool water to remove excess starch and preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine Ingredients in Baking Dish: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, add the rinsed rice, pesto, drained chickpeas, chopped mushrooms, diced shallot, dry parsley, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Add Broth and Cover: Pour the boiling vegetable broth carefully into the baking dish and stir again to mix evenly. Cover the baking dish tightly using foil, an inverted baking sheet, or a lid to trap steam and cook the rice properly.
- Bake the Rice: Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Check the rice at this time and if it is not fully cooked, return it to bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until tender.
- Add Cheeses: Once the rice is cooked, remove the cover and stir in the cubes of neufchatel cream cheese. Then, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top.
- Bake Until Cheese Melts: Bake the dish uncovered for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and slightly golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Take the rice bake out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- For a zestier flavor, you can adjust the amount of lemon pepper seasoning according to taste.
- Neufchatel cream cheese is a lighter alternative to regular cream cheese but optional; you can omit it or substitute with regular cream cheese.
- If you prefer, long grain rice can be used instead of medium grain rice.
- Covering the baking dish tightly is crucial to ensure the rice cooks evenly and absorbs the broth.
- Letting the dish rest after baking allows flavors to settle and makes slicing easier.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
