Creamy Cheesy Green Chili Rice Bake
Indulge in this rich and creamy Cheesy Green Chili Rice Bake, a perfect side dish that brings together a blend of comforting flavors and a kick of spice. Made with layers of fluffy long-grain rice, tangy sour cream, and zesty green chilies, this dish is infused with the delightful creaminess of cottage cheese, topped generously with melted cheddar. Ideal for balancing out your spicier main dishes, this rice bake can also be prepared a day ahead: simply cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this crowd-pleasing addition to your dinner table!
N/A
Servings
350
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Onion
1 large (chopped)
Butter or Margarine
2 tablespoons (melted)
Long-Grain Rice
4 cups (hot cooked)
Sour Cream
2 cups (none)
Small Curd Cottage Cheese
1 cup (none)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (none)
Chopped Green Chilies
2 (4 ounce) cans (drained)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 cups (none)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
2
Remove the skillet from heat and carefully stir in the hot cooked rice until well combined.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cottage cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
4
Gently fold the rice mixture into the sour cream mixture until evenly distributed.
5
Grease an 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
6
Spoon half of the rice mixture into the baking dish, spreading it evenly.
7
Layer half of the drained chopped green chilies over the rice layer, followed by half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
8
Repeat the layering process with the remaining rice mixture, chilies, and cheese.
9
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
10
Bake the dish uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until it is heated through and bubbling around the edges. The cheese should be nicely melted and golden.
Nutrition Information
20
Fat
27
Carbs
15
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Creamy Cheesy Green Chili Rice Bake?
It is a rich and comforting side dish made with layers of long-grain rice, sour cream, cottage cheese, zesty green chilies, and melted cheddar cheese.
What ingredients are needed for this rice bake?
The ingredients include 1 large onion, 2 tablespoons of butter, 4 cups of cooked long-grain rice, 2 cups of sour cream, 1 cup of small curd cottage cheese, salt, pepper, two 4-ounce cans of chopped green chilies, and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the chopped onions in melted butter over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
What type of rice is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 4 cups of hot cooked long-grain rice.
Can I make this dish in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the dish a day ahead, cover it with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it.
At what temperature should I bake the rice?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How long does the rice bake take in the oven?
The dish should be baked uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes.
What size baking dish is required?
You will need an 11-inch x 7-inch x 2-inch baking dish for this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this dish is categorized as vegetarian.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 20 grams of fat per serving in this recipe.
How much protein does this rice bake provide?
This dish provides 15 grams of protein per serving.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 27 grams of carbohydrates.
Should I drain the green chilies?
Yes, ensure the chopped green chilies are drained before layering them into the dish.
What kind of cottage cheese should I use?
The recipe suggests using small curd cottage cheese for the best texture.
How do I layer the ingredients in the baking dish?
Spoon half of the rice mixture into the dish, layer half of the chilies and cheese, and then repeat the process with the remaining ingredients.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use either butter or margarine to sauté the onions.
Should the dish be covered while baking?
No, the instructions state to bake the dish uncovered.
How do I know when the rice bake is done?
It is finished when it is heated through, bubbling around the edges, and the cheese is nicely melted and golden.
Can I add extra spice to the recipe?
Yes, while the green chilies provide a mild kick, you can add more chilies or spices to increase the heat level.
What type of cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
How do I prepare the sour cream mixture?
Combine the sour cream, cottage cheese, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl and mix until smooth and creamy.
Does the rice need to be cooked before mixing?
Yes, the recipe requires 4 cups of hot cooked rice to be stirred into the sautéed onions.
Is this recipe considered an easy meal?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and is a simple baked casserole.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
The tags include rice, casserole, cheesy, green chili, comfort food, baked dish, vegetarian, and easy recipe.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
While cheddar is recommended, you could substitute it with Monterey Jack or a similar melting cheese.
How much salt and pepper is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 9 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Can I use a larger baking dish?
An 11x7 dish is recommended; using a larger dish may result in a thinner layer and faster cooking time.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
No, this is a savory dish and does not list sugar as an ingredient.