Easy Baked Cheese Rice
Creamy, savoury and oh-so-comforting, baked cheese rice couldn’t be easier for an easy weeknight meal.
Equipment
- Rice cooker
- Frying pan
- Ovenproof tray
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw rice
- 100 g smoked duck
- 1/2 tbsp cooking oil
- 3/4 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, corn kernels, green peas)
- 1 egg
- salt & pepper
- 1 1/2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 80g shredded mozzarella cheese (or as much as you like)
Instructions
- Boil rice. Let the rice remain in the rice cooker while you prep other ingredients.
- Dice smoked duck into small 1cm cubes
- Heat up a little oil and scramble an egg. Set aside.
- In the same, over low heat, fry the smoked duck cubes until the fat starts to ooze out, and the meat is just starting to brown outside.
- Add the smoked duck, rendered fats and all, to your rice in the rice cooker. Toss to coat each grain with the oils.
- Add mixed vegetables, scrambled egg and mayonnaise. Combine well.
- Taste for seasoning. Add salt and pepper if necessary and mix well.
- Transfer the rice mixture into your baking tray.
- Scatter as much mozzarella cheese as you like on top. The more mozzarella you put, the more your cheese will pull!
- Pop into preheated 180 C oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Notes
Baked Cheese Rice - Quick FAQ
1. What ingredients do I need for baked cheese rice? Cooked white rice, cheese, mayonnaise, mixed vegetables, and a strong-flavoured protein like bacon, lap cheong, luncheon meat, or smoked duck. 2. Why use mayonnaise instead of tomato sauce or béchamel? Mayonnaise adds moisture and creaminess with zero effort. It replaces time-consuming sauces and blends seamlessly with strong-flavoured meats. 3. What protein works best for baked cheese rice? Choose fatty, flavourful meats — bacon, smoked duck, lap cheong, or luncheon meat — because they release oils that coat the rice with umami. 4. Do I need to fry the rice first? No. The rendered fat from the protein coats the rice, giving you richness without stir-frying. 5. What type of cheese should I use? Any melty cheese works: mozzarella for stretch, cheddar for flavour, or a mix of both for the best results. 6. Can I make baked cheese rice without an oven? Yes. Use an airfryer or cover the pan on the stove over low heat until the cheese melts and bubbles. 7. How do I prevent the rice from becoming too dry? Mix in mayonnaise before baking. It keeps the rice moist while still allowing the cheese to crisp on top. 8. Can I customise the fillings? Absolutely. Add mushrooms, onions, spinach, leftover roast meats, or even kimchi — the base is very forgiving. 9. How long does baked cheese rice take to cook? Active cooking takes about 10 minutes. Bake for another 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden. 10. What should I serve baked cheese rice with? It’s a complete meal on its own, but it pairs well with a light soup, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.
1. What ingredients do I need for baked cheese rice? Cooked white rice, cheese, mayonnaise, mixed vegetables, and a strong-flavoured protein like bacon, lap cheong, luncheon meat, or smoked duck. 2. Why use mayonnaise instead of tomato sauce or béchamel? Mayonnaise adds moisture and creaminess with zero effort. It replaces time-consuming sauces and blends seamlessly with strong-flavoured meats. 3. What protein works best for baked cheese rice? Choose fatty, flavourful meats — bacon, smoked duck, lap cheong, or luncheon meat — because they release oils that coat the rice with umami. 4. Do I need to fry the rice first? No. The rendered fat from the protein coats the rice, giving you richness without stir-frying. 5. What type of cheese should I use? Any melty cheese works: mozzarella for stretch, cheddar for flavour, or a mix of both for the best results. 6. Can I make baked cheese rice without an oven? Yes. Use an airfryer or cover the pan on the stove over low heat until the cheese melts and bubbles. 7. How do I prevent the rice from becoming too dry? Mix in mayonnaise before baking. It keeps the rice moist while still allowing the cheese to crisp on top. 8. Can I customise the fillings? Absolutely. Add mushrooms, onions, spinach, leftover roast meats, or even kimchi — the base is very forgiving. 9. How long does baked cheese rice take to cook? Active cooking takes about 10 minutes. Bake for another 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden. 10. What should I serve baked cheese rice with? It’s a complete meal on its own, but it pairs well with a light soup, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.