Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake – Experience the indulgence of our delectable Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake Recipe. This delightful side dish offers a balance of heat and cheese that will surely satisfy your taste buds. The combination of ingredients, in this dish is carefully orchestrated to please a crowd. Prepare yourself for a dining experience with this easy-to-follow recipe.
I can still vividly recall the first time I prepared this Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake for my family. The enticing aroma of sautéed bell peppers and onions filled the kitchen creating a symphony of flavors as it baked. It was a cozy evening and the irresistible cheesiness that emerged from the oven didn’t just win over my husband’s discerning palate but also delighted my child’s taste preferences. These are the moments that make cooking truly special when a dish becomes a conduit that connects hearts through its flavors.
What makes this Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake truly delightful?
What sets our Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake apart is its blend of textures and flavors. The tender rice provides a foundation while the zing from the chiles and the sweet crunch of corn kernels create an exciting interplay of contrasts. The star ingredient, Pepper Jack cheese adds the amount of heat with its smooth and creamy finish ensuring each bite is an adventurous delight, for your taste buds.
What You Need To Make This Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake Recipe?
Fresh Corn Kernels: To achieve the delightful flavor it is recommended to use fresh corn kernels whenever possible. They bring a crunch. Sweetness to the dish. However, if fresh corn is not available you can use thawed corn kernels as an alternative.
Cream of Celery Soup: The smooth and velvety cream of celery soup plays a role, in binding the Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake. Its creamy consistency enhances the texture of the dish. Complements the other ingredients perfectly. For a twist, you can also try using cream of mushroom soup which adds an earthy note.
Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese: Pepper Jack cheese takes the stage in this recipe providing a balance of heat and creaminess. If you prefer a milder level of spiciness consider mixing Pepper Jack with Monterey Jack cheese. Additionally, you have the option to personalize your cheese blend by adding some cheddar for sharpness or a touch of mozzarella, for that gooey texture.
Sautéed Bell Pepper and Onion: By sautéing bell peppers and onions you add an additional layer of depth to enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish. The vegetables, in this dish have a softness that pairs with the rice and cheese. They also have a caramelized flavor that brings out their sweetness. You can adjust the sauté time to your preference as a longer sauté can make the flavors more intense.
Sour Cream: When it comes to the cream it not only adds creaminess to the dish but also gives it a tangy taste that balances out the richness of the cheese and cream of celery soup. If you want an option you can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Chopped Green Chiles: Adding chopped chiles provides a smokiness and a touch of heat to the dish. If you’re looking for spice diced jalapeños are an alternative. On the other hand, if you prefer milder flavors using diced bell peppers will give you just enough pepper flavor without too much heat.
Cooked Rice: For this recipe, any cooked rice will do. Using grain white rice or brown rice adds a satisfying chewiness. If you prefer a nuttier taste wild rice is a choice. If you’re short on time using leftover rice, from another meal works fine.
Steps To Make Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake:
Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 375ºF. Grease a baking dish that measures 9x13x2 inches to prevent the food from sticking.
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Step 2: In a skillet, over medium-high heat heat up some oil. Add the chopped bell pepper and onion. Sauté them until they become tender and release an aroma, which usually takes 8 minutes.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl combine the rice, sour cream, cream of celery soup, chopped green chiles, corn kernels and half of the tantalizing Pepper Jack cheese. Mix everything together until they are well blended and harmonious.
Step 4: Now it’s time to spread this mixture evenly into your prepared baking pan. This is when anticipation starts to build up.
Step 5: Cover the dish, with foil. Let it bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. During this time the flavors will meld together beautifully as excitement continues to rise.
Step 6: When the timer hits 30 minutes it’s time to reveal your creation. Remove the foil. Sprinkle the remaining cup of Pepper Jack cheese on top like a comforting blanket of deliciousness.
Step 7: Put your pan back, into the oven for a round of baking which will take about 10 minutes. This additional time will turn the cheese into a melted masterpiece.
Tip:
For a layer of texture and flavor, you might want to consider adding a topping, to your Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake during the last 10 minutes of baking. Take some tortilla chips. Mix them with melted butter and a sprinkle of your preferred herbs like cilantro or parsley. Spread this mixture evenly over the dish before putting it in the oven.
While it bakes the tortilla chip topping will become golden and crispy creating a contrast to the creamy rice and melted cheese. Each bite will offer a crunch bringing a twist to the already irresistible combination of flavors. This small addition can transform your Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake from a side dish, into a culinary experience that will leave your family and guests raving about it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I substitute the Pepper Jack cheese for another type of cheese?
Sure! If you’re not a fan of Pepper Jack cheese feel free to try out other types of cheese that suit your taste. You can opt for milder or sharper variations to match your preferences.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Definitely! You have the option to prepare this dish in advance. Just put it together without baking and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to enjoy it follow the provided instructions. Pop it in the oven.
What can I serve with this Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake?
This Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake goes well with accompaniments. It complements grilled chicken beautifully and paired with vegetables or can be savored as a delicious comfort food, on its own.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 medium red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 6 cups cooked rice
- 1 8-ounce container sour cream
- 1 10.5-ounce can cream of celery soup
- 2 4.5-ounce cans chopped green chiles
- 1 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen
- 2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish measuring 9x13x2 inches.
- In a skillet heat 2 tablespoons of oil, over medium-high heat. Sauté one red bell and one onion that has been chopped until they become softened which should take around 8 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl combine 6 cups of rice with ingredients such as cream (use one container), cream of celery soup (use one can), chopped green chiles (use two cans), corn kernels (use one cup) and the sautéed mixture of pepper and onion. Make sure to add 1 cup of shredded Pepper Jack cheese to the mixture and mix everything well.
- Spread the rice mixture evenly in the baking dish that you prepared earlier.
- Cover the dish with foil. Place it in the oven. Allow it to bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Pepper Jack cheese on top.
- Bake, without covering for 10 minutes until you notice that the cheese has melted and become bubbly.
- Take it out of the oven. Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this Cheesy Pepper Jack Rice Bake while it is still warm and filled with flavor!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
