Today I was challenged with cleaning out the leftover bits from the week and repurposing them for a new meal. My Italian grandmother used to do this all the time. Her leftover bits ended up either in pasta sauce or minestrone soup. This recipe ended up as a casserole.
It was a challenging week in our home so I needed something easy to make for dinner. Easy is the word of the day, and pea-sy because I added peas that I served as a vegetable side earlier in the week.
Gouda is the winner in this chicken & rice dinner! The gouda I used (from the Pointreyescheese.com a gift from my cousin Sara) had a slightly sharp taste which added depth to the flavor and paired nicely with the other ingredients. Their description of this cheese:
Our Gouda is creamy in texture but slightly crystalized, delivering pops of complex flavor. You’ll enjoy deep flavors of toasted hazelnuts, caramel, butterscotch, and cooked cream.”
Bonus: this recipe goes together in less than 30 minutes!
Cook rice according to package instructions.
Grate Gouda cheese and drain peas (if canned).
Add sauce to the mixing bowl with all ingredients.
Add remaining cheese on top of the casserole and bake until golden.
And done! The recipe makes a generous amount for 2-3 people and can stretch to 4 if adding a soup or salad to the meal.
Gouda is a Winner in Chicken & Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 cup peas
- 1 cup gouda cheese grated
- 1 cup onions
- 1 1/2 cups rice cooked
- 1 1/2 cups chicken cooked
- 2 pats butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken stock
- scant olive oil to saute onions
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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PREP: Heat oven to 350° F. Prepare a baking dish with cooking oil spray.
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In a mixing bowl, place the cooked rice, peas, cooked chicken, and half the cheese.
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In a medium frypan, saute onions in olive oil until golden. When slightly cooled add to the mixing bowl.
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In the same frypan, melt the butter and add flour, stirring to combine and cook a minute. Whisk in chicken stock and cook until thickened. Add sauce to mixing bowl and combine all ingredients.
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Place ingredients in the prepared baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes or until golden.