Rice timbale with 4 cheeses
- Gluten Free
- Energy Kcal 729
- Carbohydrates g 74.7
- of which sugars g 1.8
- Protein g 33
- Fats g 33.1
- of which saturated fat g 18.14
- Fiber g 1.3
- Cholesterol mg 96
- Sodium mg 1168
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 15 min
- Cook time: 45 min
- Serving: 6
- Cost: Average
PRESENTATION
Golden color and a soft, fluffy texture make the American rice timbale a real hit on the family table. Starring a DECADENT blend of four cheeses, this classic seamless rice oven bake brings together everything people really want in cozy, flavorful comfort food. You get creamy cheese in every bite—some gooey, some stretchy, with just a bit of that bold cheesy flavor home cooks love—while the outside looks perfectly golden and inviting. It sits tall and proud on the plate, holding its shape for nice slices that never fall apart, lining up just right for busy weeknight dinners or Sunday gatherings. The way the cheeses come together makes each forkful rich but still balanced...it’s the kind of dish people always want seconds of, especially at birthday parties, potlucks, or even those last-minute family get-togethers. What you end up with is a dish that feels a little bit special, mostly because of the awesome combo of basic pantry rice and extra MELTY cheese, with a familiar, homey vibe that stays appealing across generations.
Busy families often search for dishes like the American rice timbale since it fits pretty much any occasion. Great for holidays when everyone wants something truly comforting or for those moments when simple, filling meals are the easiest win. Kids like the mild, creamy cheese flavor, while grownups appreciate the hearty, easy-to-cut texture—the opposite of fussy food, but still feels festive. Homestyle dining doesn’t get simpler than this, which is why so many people swear by this recipe for quick crowd-pleasing success (definitely gets wiped out at buffets). Pair this gorgeous centerpiece with a plain green salad, some crusty bread, or even a little red sauce...the options keep things interesting for everyone. While the core is all about cheese and rice, it’s super versatile: change it up with veggies, bits of meat, even spicy touches for fun. Usually ends up as the kind of meal regular folks make again and again, since it guarantees happy faces and easy cleanup, too. That’s the big secret—good food that looks nice, feeds a crowd, and makes everyone ask, “Can I get this again?” Hard not to call it a go-to Neapolitan rice dish for homes that want DELICIOUS, fuss-free meals with MAXIMUM cheese power.
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- INGREDIENTS
- Fontina cheese 3.5 oz (100 g)
- Gruyere cheese 3.5 oz (100 g)
- Prosciutto crudo 4.25 oz (120 g)
- Grana Padano PDO cheese 0.8 cup (80 g) - to grate
- Nutmeg to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Mozzarella cheese 8.8 oz (250 g)
- Carnaroli rice 2 ½ cups (500 g)
- Butter 3 ½ tbsp (50 g)
- Shallot 1
- Vegetable broth 4 ¼ cups (1 l)
How to prepare Rice timbale with 4 cheeses
To prepare the rice timbale with 4 cheeses, start by preparing the risotto: finely chop the shallot and brown it in 1 tbsp of butter 1. Then add the carnaroli rice 2, toast it well, and then add a ladle of broth to deglaze 3. Continue cooking the risotto, adding a ladle of broth from time to time.
When cooked, stir in 1 tbsp of butter 4 and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan, and finally season with a sprinkle of nutmeg and black pepper. Cut the mozzarella and fontina into thin slices 5.
Butter a large baking dish or small single-portion dishes and place a first layer of about 3/4 inch of risotto on the bottom 6,
which you will cover with slices of mozzarella alternating with slices of fontina 7, sprinkled with finely chopped prosciutto 8. Then make another layer of rice 9
and one of grated Gruyere (about 2 oz) 10, and cover with another layer of rice.
Drizzle with the remaining melted butter 11, sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere and Grana Padano DOP 12, and then bake at 430°F for about 30 minutes to melt the cheeses and slightly gratinate the surface.
When the necessary time has passed for a golden crust to form, remove the rice timbale from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes; then prepare the portions to be placed on individual serving plates, and serve the rice timbale with 4 cheeses immediately!