Oven Baked Fancy Wild Rice Pilaf

Elevate your side dish game with this Oven Baked Fancy Wild Rice Pilaf, a one-pot wonder that’s as flavorful as it is visually stunning. This hearty recipe marries the nutty richness of a wild rice blend with aromatic sautéed vegetables, sweet pops of dried cranberries or raisins, and the satisfying crunch of slivered almonds or pecans. Simmered in savory chicken or vegetable broth and baked to perfection with fresh thyme and a fragrant bay leaf, this pilaf is a perfect balance of earthy, sweet, and savory flavors. It's finished with a sprinkling of fresh parsley for a touch of brightness, making it an elegant accompaniment to roasted meats, poultry, or vegetarian mains. With just 15 minutes of hands-on prep and an hour in the oven, this dish is perfect for holiday gatherings or weeknight dinners alike. Keywords: wild rice pilaf, oven baked pilaf, holiday side dish, vegetable rice pilaf, one-pot rice recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups wild rice blend
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 1 medium celery stalk, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 cups dried cranberries or raisins
• 0.5 cups slivered almonds or chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Rinse the wild rice blend under cold running water and drain well. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the skillet. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the rinsed wild rice to the skillet and stir to coat the grains in the butter and aromatics.

Step 7

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and stir to combine. Add the dried cranberries or raisins, slivered almonds or chopped pecans, thyme leaves, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a boil on the stovetop, then cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil.

Step 9

Carefully transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.

Step 10

Remove the skillet from the oven and let the pilaf sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 11

Fluff the rice with a fork, remove the bay leaf, and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.

Step 12

Serve warm as a beautiful side dish for roasted meats, poultry, or vegetarian main courses.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1591.8 grams (1591.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2024

Total Fat 70.30g	90%
Saturated Fat 24.10g	121%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 93mg	31%
Sodium 5175mg	225%
Total Carbohydrate 312.10g	113%
Dietary Fiber 34.80g	124%
Total Sugars 80.70g
Protein 60.80g	122%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 427mg	33%
Iron 10mg	58%
Potassium 2737mg	58%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.8%

Protein: 11.4%

Carbs: 58.8%