How to Cook Rice in the Oven
Cooking rice on the stove top can get messy. It can boil over making a starchy mess all over the top of your stove. But did you know you can cook it in the oven? Here’s how to cook rice in the oven and avoid the mess.
Cooking Rice in the Oven
Rice is a great side dish that goes with so many meals.
It works great with stir-fry, pork chops, chicken and more. And it’s also an inexpensive side dish too.
But cooking it on the stovetop means you need to watch it. So it doesn’t boil over.
When cooking rice you get the rice boiling and then turn your back for a minute to do something else and here it comes up and over the pan. Pushing out from under the lid.
If only there was a better way to make rice. Well, there is.
This baked rice is super simple to make and it can bake in the oven right alongside your main dish.
Freeing you up to do other things while it cooks. No more standing and watching to catch it before it boils over and makes a starchy mess all over your stove.
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What You’ll Need to Cook Rice in the Oven
Rice, Long Grain, Jasmine, Basmati Rice
Water, Get it Hot First
Salt,
1 1/2 qt to 2 qt Baking Dish with Lid
If you don’t have a baking dish with a lid, you can cover a square baking pan with foil. Just be sure to seal the edges so it will hold the moisture in while the rice cooks.
I like using a 2 quart baking or casserole dish. They are not only great for baking rice but can steam vegetables in the microwave. Or baking casseroles in the oven.
Plus, because they have a lid you can store the leftovers in the dish in the refrigerator covered. No need for plastic wrap.
How to Cook Rice in the Oven {recipe video}
Now cooking rice is simple to do but just in case you want to watch it being made I made a quick video. I didn’t use butter in my rice but if you prefer to use butter, add it with the rice before you stir it.
To Add Butter or Not to Your RiceI rarely add butter to our rice. Why? You might ask? Because we like our rice sticky, like the rice in the video.
But if you like the rice not sticky add the butter before you bake. It will help to not clump together.
What Type of Rice to Use
We love Jasmine rice for the nutty aroma it has. But in the video I used long grain rice because it’s a common rice everyone has access too.
But you can make this with brown rice too. All you need to do is bake it longer. Brown rice will need to bake about an hour but the measurements will be the same.
Be sure to grab the printable recipe below so you’ll have it the next time you want to make rice. Keep reading to see just how cheap rice is for a side dish. I’ve got the cost breakdown for you below the recipe.
Oven Baked Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup Rice
- 2 cups Hot Water
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Butter or Margarine optional
Instructions
- Heat the water until very hot almost boiling.
- Add it to an oven proof pot or dish with a lid.
- Add the rice and salt and butter if you if desired, give the rice a stir.
- Place in a 350-degree oven and bake with a lid on for 35-40 minutes until the water is absorbed.
- Remove from oven and fluff rice with a fork.
- Serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
How Much Does Rice Cost as a Side Dish
Rice is really an inexpensive dish to make. But in case you don’t know how cheap it really is I thought I would break down the cost for you so you wouldn’t have to.
The local price of packaged rice is…
$2.29 for a 32 ounce package or $.07 an ounce
The bulk long grain rice at WinCo Foods is…
$.69 per pound or $.04 an ounce
Which makes the cost of 1 cup of rice $.30 if you bought the rice in bulk.
And 1 cup of rice would cost $.49 if you bought it in the package. So the price is close.
And that is for 4 servings, making each serving between $.08 and $.12. Not bad at all for a side dish that is so versatile.
That’s how to cook rice in the oven. It’s simple and easy to make.
The next time you have a main dish baking in the oven. Get your rice ready and set it in the oven and bake the rice. You won’t have to watch it and it baked up so nice every time.
What do you eat with rice?
More Recipes to Make with Rice
Rice Cereal
Rice Pudding
Mexican Milk Rice
Southwestern Layered Beef Casserole
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Thanks for the recipe! I hadn’t thought of cooking rice in the oven. This is a handy recipe. 🙂
Glad you like the idea, Heidi.