In this delicious recipe, we introduce the Parmigiana-Style Baked Rice, an irresistible combination of creamy rice with ground beef, tomato sauce, ham, and melted cheese. This delicacy is perfect to impress your guests at any special celebration. Best of all, you can use leftover rice from the fridge, making it an economical and delicious option.
Ingredients for Parmigiana-Style Baked Rice:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.1 lbs (500g) lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- Dried parsley to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Bell pepper to taste (diced)
- 1 tomato, diced
- 10 olives, pitted
- 1 sachet (approx. 8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1.7 cups (400g) cream cheese (Catupiry style or regular cream cheese)
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 7 oz (200g) ham, diced
- 4 cups cooked white rice
- 9 oz (250g) mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced
- Dried oregano to taste
How to make Parmigiana-Style Baked Rice:
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet and sauté the onion until golden. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute.
- Add the ground beef and cook thoroughly until browned and juicy.
- Season the meat with turmeric, curry powder, paprika, salt, dried parsley, and black pepper. Stir in the bell pepper and tomato, mixing well.
- Cook for a few minutes until the liquid reduces.
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese with the eggs and Parmesan.
- Fold the diced ham into the cream cheese mixture.
- In a separate large bowl, combine the cooked rice with the ham and cream cheese mixture.
- In a baking dish, create alternating layers of the rice mixture and the ground beef sauce.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Pro Tip:
To ensure the rice stays creamy and moist, don’t let the ground beef dry out during cooking. Add the tomato sauce to keep it juicy.
Why You’ll Love This:
This Parmigiana-Style Baked Rice is a versatile and delicious comfort food, perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Its irresistible flavor and creamy texture are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Give it a try and enjoy this wonderful combination of flavors!
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