Description

This Creamy Spinach Artichoke Rice Bake is everything cozy, comforting, and irresistibly creamy. Think classic spinach-artichoke dip transformed into a hearty, satisfying casserole rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor. It’s the perfect weeknight bake, potluck crowd-pleaser, or holiday side dish that pairs beautifully with almost any protein. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and the kind of creamy texture that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Rice Bake

3 cups cooked rice (white or brown; about 1 cup uncooked)
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained & chopped
2 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen, thawed & squeezed dry)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)Topping
1/2 cup mozzarella
1/4 cup Parmesan
Optional: 1/2 cup buttery breadcrumbs (panko mixed with 1 tbsp melted butter)

Instructions

Prepare the oven:
Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13″ baking dish (or similar).
Sauté the aromatics:
Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.
Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
Add garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
Add spinach & artichokes:
Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted (or warmed through if using frozen).
Add chopped artichokes and mix well.
Make it creamy:
Reduce heat to low.
Stir in cream cheese until fully melted and smooth.
Add sour cream or Greek yogurt, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Combine with rice:
Add cooked rice directly into the skillet or transfer mixture to a large bowl and fold together until everything is evenly combined.
Assemble the bake:
Spread mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Top with mozzarella, Parmesan, and buttery breadcrumbs if using.
Bake:
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until hot, bubbling, and lightly golden on top.
Serve:
Let rest for 5 minutes before scooping, allowing it to set and become extra creamy.

Notes

Make sure frozen spinach is completely thawed and squeezed dry to prevent excess moisture.
For a richer flavor, use a mix of mozzarella and a sharper cheese like Gruyère.
This dish reheats wonderfully add a splash of broth or cream when reheating to revive its creaminess.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Casserole / Main Dish / Side Dish
Method: Sauté + Baked
Cuisine: American Comfort

Nutrition

Serving Size: ~1 cup
Calories: ~360
Sugar: ~3g
Sodium: ~640mg
Fat: ~23g
Saturated Fat: ~12g
Unsaturated Fat: ~10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: ~26g
Fiber: ~2g
Protein: ~11g
Cholesterol: ~55mg

Keywords: spinach artichoke casserole, rice bake, creamy rice bake, spinach artichoke rice, easy casseroles, family dinner