Best Baked Mushroom Rice
Baked Mushroom Rice is not just a side dish; it’s a hug in a bowl! With its earthy flavors and tender grains, it’s the perfect complement to any meal, promising to bring smiles and satisfied sighs to your dinner table. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or just cozy up with a comforting meal, this recipe has got you covered.
Why You Will Love Making Baked Mushroom Rice
There’s a whole bunch of reasons to fall head over heels for this baked mushroom rice. Let me count the ways:
- It’s incredibly flavorful: With mushrooms, garlic cloves, and a blend of herbs, each bite is a burst of savory goodness.
- Versatile: This dish fits right in at a fancy dinner or a casual weeknight meal.
- It’s a one-pan wonder: Minimal cleanup? Yes, please!
- Health benefits galore: Packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, it’s not just tasty but good for you too.
- Crowd-pleaser: Even those who are on the fence about mushrooms might just cross over with this dish.
- Comforting yet sophisticated: The perfect balance of homey comfort food and elegant side dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Baked Mushroom Rice with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Creating this delectable dish is easier than you might think. Here’s how to bring this comforting side to life in your kitchen:
Prepare the Rice
Begin by setting your oven to 400°F (200°C). Using a mesh strainer, thoroughly rinse your Jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Then, spread the rice out on a tea towel or a couple of layers of paper towels to dry. This step is crucial for getting the fluffiest rice.
Cook the Mushrooms
Clean your mushrooms and slice them into quarters. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. You can use vegan butter instead if desired. Add the mushrooms and stir them for about 2 minutes, or until they begin to brown.
Add the Aromatics
Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Now, add your minced garlic and diced onion, cooking until fragrant. Stir the rice into the ingredients and keep stirring for 2-3 minutes, until the grains start to look slightly translucent.
Combine and Bake
Remove the pan from heat. Carefully add the dried oregano, parsley, rosemary, sea salt, vegetable broth, and crushed tomatoes. Stir well to ensure the rice is evenly coated with the broth and spices. Cover the pan with aluminum foil or a lid that’s oven-safe, sealing in the moisture and flavors. If your pan isn’t oven-safe, you can transfer the rice to a baking dish or casserole dish. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
Garnish and Serve
After taking the pan out of the oven, let it rest for about 5 minutes. This patience pays off, as it allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Fluff the rice with a fork, then sprinkle with your choice of parsley, chives, ground black pepper, or even nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan cheese if you’re feeling cheesy. Serve warm and watch as it becomes an instant favorite at the table.
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
Here are a few tips to make sure your mushroom rice recipe turns out fantastic every time:
- Choice of Rice Matters: Jasmine rice is perfect for this recipe because of its fragrant and slightly sticky qualities, but feel free to experiment with other medium-grain white rice if that’s what you have on hand.
- Can I use brown rice instead of Jasmine rice? Absolutely! Brown rice will give the dish a nuttier flavor and a bit more texture. Just remember, it might require a longer cooking time compared to Jasmine rice, so adjust accordingly.
- Mushroom Variety: While cremini mushrooms or white button mushrooms are suggested, exploring other types like portobello or shiitake can add unique flavors to your dish.
- Spice It Up: The combination of oregano, parsley, and rosemary creates a classic flavor profile, but don’t be shy about adding your favorite herbs to personalize the dish.
- To Stir or Not to Stir: Once you’ve added the liquid and put the dish in the oven, resist the urge to peek and stir. Trust the process for the perfect texture.
- Let It Rest: Giving your baked rice a few minutes to sit after removing it from the oven is crucial for the ultimate fluffiness and flavor integration.
- Serving Size: This recipe generously serves four as a side dish, but it’s easily doubled for larger gatherings or meal prep for the week.
- Add More Protein: To amp up the protein, try adding legumes like chickpeas or lentils directly into the dish before baking. You can also serve it with a side of grilled tofu or tempeh for a protein boost that complements the dish’s flavors.
- Add More Veg: You can also add more fresh vegetables. Add baby spinach leaves or diced zucchini in with the broth and tomatoes.
How to Store Leftover Baked Mushroom Rice
Here’s how to keep your baked mushroom rice tasting great for days:
- Cool & Airtight: Allow your rice to cool to room temperature before packing it away, and then transfer the cooled rice to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate Promptly: Once packed away, get your rice into the fridge within two hours of cooking to prevent any food safety issues. For the best flavor and texture, eat your leftover baked mushroom rice within 5 days.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat it in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to help fluff it back up.
- Meal Prep: You can prepare this dish ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve. It actually allows the flavors to meld together even more. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently, adding a little extra broth or water if needed to prevent it from drying out.
What to Serve with Baked Mushroom Rice
Here are some delicious pairings that harmonize beautifully with the dish’s earthy, savory flavors:
Vibrant Veggie Mains
This rice sings when served alongside veggie-centric mains. Try breaded mushrooms, which mimic the meatiness of steak, or a spicy, roasted gochujang cabbage steak. These dishes not only complement the flavors in the rice but also add a visually appealing contrast to your plate.
Fresh and Flavorful Salads
A light, fresh salad can balance the richness of the baked mushroom rice. Opt for something with a bit of acidity, like a cherry tomato salad with balsamic vinaigrette or a crisp arugula salad with lemon and olive oil dressing. Our Blood Orange and Fennel Salad is an ideal option too!
Hearty Legume Dishes
Legumes are a wonderful way to add protein to a vegetarian meal. A comforting lentil stew or a Tuscan white bean skillet pairs wonderfully with the creamy texture of the rice, making a satisfying and nutritious meal.
More Comforting Recipes You Will Love
- Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
- Mushroom Stroganoff
- Vegan Rice Pudding
- Mixed Bean Chili
- Vegan Red Pepper Pasta
Did you make this recipe? We’d love to know! Please leave a 5-star review below (it really helps!) and tag and follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, for more tasty inspiration!
Baked Mushroom Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms or white button mushrooms
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ½ large red onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups Jasmine rice or other medium-grain white rice
- 1 ¼ cups crushed tomatoes canned
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200 C.
- In a mesh strainer, rinse rice until the water runs clear (see note 1). Spread out on a clean tea towel or a couple layers of paper towel to remove most of the moisture.
- Wash and dry (or wipe clean) the mushrooms. Trim the stems and slice into ¼s. Mince also the garlic and dice the onion.
- In an all-metal cast iron or other oven-safe pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium-high.3 tablespoons olive oil
- Add the mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes, stirring regularly, until starting to brown.8 ounces cremini mushrooms
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Add the minced onion, garlic, and rice. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring consistently until the rice is slightly translucent.½ large red onion, 1 ½ cups Jasmine rice, 3 cloves garlic
- Remove from heat and add in the spices, salt, broth, and tomatoes. Stir to evenly distribute everything.1 ¼ cups crushed tomatoes, 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Cover the pan completely with foil or a fitted (oven-safe) lid.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving.
- Garnish with fresh or dried parsley, chives, or nutritional yeast (or parmesan for non-vegans).½ teaspoon dried parsley
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
-
- This step removes excess starch which will make the rice gluey. If you skip it, add an addition ¼ cup/60ml water or broth when adding the tomatoes.
- Choice of Rice Matters: Jasmine rice is perfect for this recipe because of its fragrant and slightly sticky qualities, but feel free to experiment with other medium-grain white rice if that’s what you have on hand.
- Can I use brown rice instead of Jasmine rice? Absolutely! Brown rice will give the dish a nuttier flavor and a bit more texture. Just remember, it might require a longer cooking time compared to Jasmine rice, so adjust accordingly.
- Mushroom Variety: While cremini mushrooms or white button mushrooms are suggested, exploring other types like portobello or shiitake can add unique flavors to your dish.
- Spice It Up: The combination of oregano, parsley, and rosemary creates a classic flavor profile, but don’t be shy about adding your favorite herbs to personalize the dish.
- To Stir or Not to Stir: Once you’ve added the liquid and put the dish in the oven, resist the urge to peek and stir. Trust the process for the perfect texture.
- Let It Rest: Giving your baked rice a few minutes to sit after removing it from the oven is crucial for the ultimate fluffiness and flavor integration.
- Serving Size: This recipe generously serves four as a side dish, but it’s easily doubled for larger gatherings or meal prep for the week.
- Add More Protein: To amp up the protein, try adding legumes like chickpeas or lentils directly into the dish before baking. You can also serve it with a side of grilled tofu or tempeh for a protein boost that complements the dish’s flavors.
- Add More Veg: You can also add more fresh vegetables. Add baby spinach leaves or diced zucchini in with the broth and tomatoes.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Cool & Airtight: Allow your rice to cool to room temperature before packing it away, and then transfer the cooled rice to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate Promptly: Once packed away, get your rice into the fridge within two hours of cooking to prevent any food safety issues. For the best flavor and texture, eat your leftover baked mushroom rice within 5 days.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat it in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to help fluff it back up.
- Meal Prep: You can prepare this dish ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve. It actually allows the flavors to meld together even more. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently, adding a little extra broth or water if needed to prevent it from drying out.
