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Cheesy Bolognese Rice Bake

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A comforting layered bake featuring a savoury Bolognese sauce, a buttery garlic-Parmesan rice base, and a creamy cheesy béchamel topping.

Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • 500 g ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 1 celery stick, finely diced
  • 1 carrot, finely diced or grated
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Chilli flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can (400 g) plum tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1 tsp fish sauce (optional)
  • 2 cups long-grain rice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 egg, whisked
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • Butter or olive oil for greasing
  • 3 tbsp butter (for béchamel)
  • 3 tbsp plain flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
  • Black pepper
  • Chilli flakes (optional)
  • Fresh basil pesto (optional)
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C (fan) / 360°F. Grease a baking dish with butter or olive oil.
  2. Heat olive oil in a pot, cook onion, carrot, celery and salt until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
  3. Add ground beef, break it up and brown. Stir in tomato paste, canned tomatoes, red wine, thyme, chilli flakes and fish sauce if using. Simmer until thickened.
  4. Cook rice with salt in water until done, then let sit covered for 10 minutes to steam. Cool slightly.
  5. Combine cooked rice with melted butter, garlic, Parmesan and egg. Press evenly into greased baking dish.
  6. Make béchamel by melting butter, whisking in flour, then slowly adding milk until smooth. Stir in cheddar, pepper and optional chilli flakes.
  7. Layer Bolognese sauce over rice, then pour béchamel on top and add extra grated cheese.
  8. Bake for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling.
  9. Rest 10 minutes before serving. Add basil pesto or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

  • Use gluten-free flour in béchamel for a gluten-free version.
  • Rice should cool before adding egg to avoid scrambling.
  • Cover with foil if top browns too quickly.
  • Freeze portions for up to 1–2 months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/cheesy-bolognese-rice-bake/