Few things satisfy a hungry crowd quite like a casserole. If that casserole has layers of rice, meat sauce, gooey melted cheese and classic Italian flavors? Even better. This Italian Baked Rice Casserole, or Riso al Forno, is classic Italian dish that everyone is sure to love.
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If you’ve been to Italy chances are you’ve tried suppli (Rome) or arancini (Sicily), deep fried rice balls filled with tomato or meat sauce along with a good dose of mozzarella. Riso al forno, a baked rice dish from the Campania region of Italy, takes all of these flavors and transforms them to a delicious casserole. Layers of rice, tomato or meat sauce and cheese are reminiscent of lasagna or a penne pasta bake but without wheat pasta this is a great dish for anyone with gluten sensitivities.
Ingredients for Riso al Forno
- arborio rice
- olive oil
- onion
- garlic
- ground beef
- tomato paste
- crushed tomatoes
- oregano
- salt
- pepper
- parmesan cheese
- mozzarella cheese
How to Make Riso al Forno
While this Italian baked rice casserole is easy to make you will use a few dishes. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees; then bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the arborio rice and cook for 10 minutes. Drain the rice and briefly rinse under cold water. Transfer the rice to a bowl, add 1 tbsp of the olive oil and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese; stir to combine and set aside.
While the rice is cooking add the remaining olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes or until fragrant. Add the ground beef and brown for 5-6 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Add in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute then add in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer ensuring the beef is cooked through.
Grease a 13×9 inch baking dish with olive oil. Add half of the rice to the casserole dish in an even layer and flatten with a spoon. Spread half of the beef mixture over the rice and sprinkle with half of the remaining parmesan and half of the mozzarella. Repeat layering with the remaining rice, beef mixture and cheese. Bake for the casserole for 20 minutes, ensuring the cheese is thoroughly melted. Broil on high for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. If you happen to have leftovers you’re in luck! This casserole reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day.
If you like this Italian Baked Rice Casserole be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
Risotto with Shrimp and Asparagus
Butternut Squash and Mushroom Risotto
Chicken with Rice, Leeks and Mushrooms
Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
If you make this Baked Italian Rice Casserole please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Italian Baked Rice Casserole (Riso al Forno)
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 Large Skillet
- 1 13×9 inch casserole dish
Ingredients
- 2 cups arborio rice
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the arborio rice and cook for 10 minutes. Drain the rice and rinse under cold water. Transfer the rice to a bowl, add 1 tbsp of the olive oil and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese; stir to combine and set aside.
- While the rice is cooking add the remaining olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes or until fragrant. Add the ground beef and brown for 5-6 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Add in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute then add in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer ensuring the beef is cooked through.
- Grease a 13×9 inch baking dish with olive oil. Add half of the rice to the casserole dish in an even layer and flatten with a spoon. Spread half of the beef mixture over the rice and sprinkle with half of the remaining parmesan and half of the mozzarella. Repeat layering with the remaining rice, beef mixture and cheese.
- Bake for the casserole for 20 minutes, ensuring the cheese is thoroughly melted. Broil on high for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
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Natalie says
What a lovely dinner idea. I bet my family would enjoy this. I will save the recipe. Thanks!
Joyce K. says
This is the perfect dish for the family, and let me say that everyone loved it!!
nancy says
who doesn’t love gooey melted cheese? Great dinner idea!
Alan Drummond says
This looks yummy as all get out.
Erik says
This dish was a disappointment. I added salt to the rice water (this was not in the instructions), but should definitely have added more, as the rice was really bland. 1/2 tsp is also not enough salt for the meat sauce. I added about 1 tsp, but that was not enough to really bring out the flavor of the ingredients in the sauce. I also think a bit more cheese on top would have been nice. Basically the dish needs to be a bit more unhealthy, for the sake of flavor!
Brianna Simmons says
Salt level is definitely personal and there are few things that aren’t improved with more cheese.
Lyla smith says
This is the best thing I have ever had in my life and when my mom makes her own sauce we like to use that but I always make it.
Brianna Simmons says
Homemade sauce definitely kicks things up a notch. I’m so glad you like my recipe, it’s one of my favorite comfort meals 🙂
Shirley J Gilchrest says
I came across this recipe last week and made it today. My goodness it is delicious and FULL of flavor!! I did add some red pepper flakes to give it some kick. It came together so quickly, and we have plenty of leftovers for lunches!