Cheesy Rice & Pea Bake Loaf

Ingredients

3 cups cooked white rice, cooled
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3 large eggs
½ cup milk
½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup finely chopped onion
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or green onions
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
½ tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp melted butter or olive oil
Optional: ¼ tsp paprika for the top

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Grease a 9 × 5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some paper over the sides for easy removal.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Add the cooked rice, peas, onion, Parmesan, parsley, and 1 cup of cheddar.
Gently mix until everything is evenly combined. Avoid crushing the peas.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and press it down gently so there are no large gaps.
Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar over the top. Add a little paprika if desired.
Drizzle lightly with melted butter or olive oil.
Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
Let it rest for 10–15 minutes before removing it from the pan.
Carefully lift it out using the parchment paper and slice with a sharp knife.
Serve warm.

Approximate Nutrition

Per serving, assuming 8 servings:

Calories: ~320 kcal
Protein: ~15 g
Carbohydrates: ~35 g
Fat: ~14 g
Fiber: ~3 g
Sugar: ~3–4 g
Sodium: ~500–600 mg

Nutrition is approximate and will vary depending on the cheese, rice, milk, and sour cream used.

Allergen Information

Contains: eggs and dairy (cheddar, Parmesan, milk, sour cream/Greek yogurt).
Gluten-free: Naturally gluten-free if all packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Nut-free: Yes, as written. Check packaged cheese and other ingredients if preparing for someone with a severe nut allergy.
Vegetarian: Yes.

Q/S

Q: Can I use brown rice?
Yes. Cook it first and allow it to cool before mixing.

Q: Can I use mozzarella instead of cheddar?
Yes. Mozzarella gives a milder flavor and a stretchier texture.

Q: Can I make it without peas?
Yes. Try corn, finely chopped broccoli, spinach, or mixed vegetables.

Q: Why does my loaf fall apart?
It may need more time to set, or it was sliced while too hot. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.

Q: Can I prepare it ahead?
Yes. Assemble it, cover, refrigerate, and bake within about 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it goes into the oven cold.

Q: Can I freeze it?
Yes. Cool completely, slice, wrap individual portions well, and freeze. Reheat until hot throughout.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.