French Rice
French Rice combines savory mushroom and water chestnut flavors with buttery rice, baked to perfection, making it an excellent side dish for family dinners or special gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine the onion soup and melted butter in a bowl and stir well.
- Drain the sliced mushrooms and water chestnuts; save the liquid from the water chestnuts.
- Add enough water to the saved liquid to make 1 1/3 cups.
- Add the mushrooms, water chestnuts, the prepared liquid, and uncooked rice to the soup mixture.
- Stir everything together and pour into a greased 10 x 6 x 2-inch baking dish.
- Cover and bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding garlic or herbs like thyme to the onion soup mixture. If you're out of water chestnuts, diced bell peppers can provide a similar crunch. You can also use brown rice instead of regular rice, but be sure to adjust the cooking time as brown rice typically requires a longer cooking duration.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this French Rice as a comforting side dish to roasted chicken or grilled vegetables. It pairs beautifully with a fresh salad, such as Salad South Pacific, for a complete meal. You can also top it with grated cheese or fresh herbs before serving for added flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a covered dish in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or use the microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally to heat evenly.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of French Rice contains roughly 509 calories, with 3g protein, 32g carbohydrates, and 41g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin D (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of soup instead of onion soup?
Yes, you can substitute with cream of mushroom or chicken soup for a different flavor profile. Just keep in mind that this will alter the taste of the dish slightly, so choose a soup that complements the other ingredients.
What can I do if I don't have canned mushrooms?
If you don't have canned mushrooms, you can sauté fresh mushrooms in a little butter or oil until they're tender. This will add a fresh flavor to your dish and enhance the overall taste.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly as it primarily consists of vegetables and rice. Just be sure to check that the onion soup you use is vegetarian, as some brands may contain meat-based ingredients.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).