Sunrise Surprise
Sunrise Surprise is a comforting baked rice dish topped with sliced hard-cooked eggs and creamy squash sauce. The flavors blend savory cheese, tender squash, and hearty rice, making it ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings. Its warm, golden presentation invites everyone to enjoy a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the rice in boiling water until tender.
- In a 2-quart casserole, combine cooked rice, salt, 1 tablespoon margarine, and boiling water.
- Add sliced yellow squash to the casserole.
- Make a sauce by mixing flour, 2 tablespoons margarine, milk, and grated cheese.
- Pour the sauce over the squash and rice mixture and stir gently.
- Sprinkle bread crumbs evenly on top.
- Arrange sliced hard-cooked eggs, cut lengthwise, on top of the dish.
- Bake in a 350°F oven for 45 minutes until golden and heated through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier sauce, consider adding a splash of milk or cream to the cheese mixture. If you don’t have yellow squash, zucchini is a great substitute. You can also use leftover rice to save time. To enhance flavor, add herbs like thyme or basil. This dish can also be made ahead of time and baked just before serving, allowing the flavors to meld.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Sunrise Surprise as a hearty main dish or as a side alongside grilled chicken or fish. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette pairs beautifully with this casserole. For a comforting meal, consider serving it with crusty bread or rolls, like Featherlight Rolls, to soak up the delicious sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Sunrise Surprise can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions on medium power until hot.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sunrise Surprise contains roughly 1132 calories, with 26g protein, 229g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (52% of the Daily Value), iron (49% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2162mg per serving (94% of the Daily Value).
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 make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! This recipe is already vegetarian-friendly, featuring hard-cooked eggs, rice, and squash. You can enhance it by adding more vegetables or using vegetable broth instead of water for cooking the rice.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make Sunrise Surprise gluten-free, substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend or cornstarch for the sauce. Ensure that the cheese you use is also gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Can I use different types of cheese?
Yes, feel free to experiment with different cheeses! Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack will add unique flavors to the sauce. Just adjust the quantity to your taste, keeping in mind that stronger cheeses may require less.
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).