Oven Baked Smoky Tomato Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tbspunsalted butter
- 6slices bacon
- 2 clong grain white rice
uncooked
- 214.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 ¾ cchicken or vegetable broth
- ½ mediumwhite onion
finely diced
- 2stalks of green onions
whites and greens separated and thinly sliced
- 1 tbspknorrs chicken bouillon
- 1 tspgarlic powder
- 1 tspsmoked paprika
- 1 tspblack pepper
- 2bay leaves
- 1 tspcelery salt
Directions
Preheat & prep
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- 2
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter — swipe it all over the bottom and sides like you’re painting on flavor.
Bake the bacon
- 1
Lay 6–8 slices of bacon directly into the buttered baking dish in a single layer.
- 2
Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until crisp and fat is rendered.
- 3
Carefully remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel–lined plate.
- 4
Leave all that bacon grease in the dish — we’re building flavor right on top of it.
Measure the tomato liquid
- 1
Open your two 14.5 oz cans of diced tomatoes and pour the liquids into a liquid measuring cup while using a strainer.
- 2
Push the tomatoes down until you reach 2 cups if you don't reach two cups add a bit of vegetable broth, chicken broth or water until you reach two cups and set it aside.
- 3
Why this matters: Baking rice in the oven needs precise liquid-to-rice ratio (about 1¾ to 2 cups liquid per 1 cup of rice). This method keeps it foolproof.
Mix it all together
- 1
In the same bacon-greased dish, add:
- 2
2 cups uncooked rice and toss it around to coat in the bacon grease.
- 3
2 cups tomato juice + 1 3/4 cups of broth
- 4
Diced sweet onion
- 5
add the strained petite diced tomatoes from the can
- 6
Green onion whites (save the green tops for garnish!)
- 7
Garlic powder, 2 bay leaves, smoked paprika, black pepper, knorrs chicken bouillon seasoning, Celery Salt
- 8
Give it a gentle stir to evenly distribute everything.
Cover and bake
- 1
Cover the dish tightly with foil.
- 2
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
- 3
Bake for 1 hour.
Finish & fluff
- 1
Carefully remove the foil (watch for steam!) and fluff the rice with a fork.
- 2
If there’s a little excess liquid, return the dish to the oven uncovered for 5–10 minutes until it’s fully absorbed.
Garnish & serve
- 1
Crumble the reserved bacon and sprinkle it over the top.
- 2
Add the sliced green onion tops for a fresh bite and pop of color.
Oven Baked Smoky Tomato Rice
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About this Recipe
Longing for a taste of home and Southern comfort food without the fuss? This Oven Baked Smoky Tomato Rice recipe brings those cherished Sunday supper flavors right to your table, transforming a classic into an incredibly easy, hands-off main course.
Why This Recipe Works
What makes this dish a true "one-pan wonder" is how it takes everything you love about tender rice, rich tomato flavor, and smoky bacon, and transforms it into a set-it-and-forget-it experience. There's a clever trick mentioned in the original description that infuses the entire dish with buttery, bacony goodness, ensuring deep flavor in every spoonful without constant stirring. This approach makes achieving authentic Southern taste both simple and satisfying.
What to Expect
Prepare for a deeply satisfying and comforting dish where long grain white rice absorbs all the savory goodness. You'll find a harmonious blend of bright, petite diced tomatoes and rich chicken or vegetable broth, infused with aromatic spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and celery salt. Each spoonful offers tender, perfectly cooked grains complemented by the irresistible flavor of smoky bacon and a subtle sweetness from finely diced white onion. It’s a hearty, flavorful main course that feels both traditional and refreshingly effortless, perfect for any family dinner.
Customization & Variations
This versatile dish easily adapts to different preferences. For a delicious vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and ensure you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. While long grain white rice is specified for its ideal texture, feel free to experiment with the spice levels to suit your taste, though the smoked paprika is key to its distinctive character. You can also garnish with extra green onions for a fresh finish.
Serving & Context
This Oven Baked Smoky Tomato Rice is an ideal main course for a cozy family dinner or a relaxed gathering. Serve it as the star of your Southern-inspired meal, perhaps alongside a simple green salad or your favorite steamed vegetables for a complete and satisfying spread.