Greek Rice Bake at the Table

greek rice in a bowl topped with feta and fresh herbs

This Greek Rice Bake is not only a breeze to whip up — it’s also bursting with mouthwatering Mediterranean flavors. With juicy tomatoes, briny olives, aromatic oregano, zesty garlic, and silky feta cheese, every bite is a taste of Greece that’ll have everyone at the table asking for more!

What makes this rice bake recipe Greek?

The ingredients in this recipe whisk you away to the Mediterranean Sea. Each of them helps balance out the flavor profile of this tasty dish.

The components:

The baby tomatoes are the star of this rice bake! They are so juicy after baking them. The tomatoes absorb the spices and almost create a sauce for the rice to cook in.
Green olives and kalamata olives are the briny, salty component that makes this recipe shine!
Olive oil works its magic to tie everything together.
Oregano is an Italian herb, but it has an earthy and fragrant flavor that fits well with Greek cuisine!
The feta and cilantrotoppings are the refreshing pop of flavor that round out this Greek recipe.
Garlic is a staple in most cuisines since it’s the reliable complement to nearly any dish. Check out our blogs on how to store garlic and how to make garlic confit if you’re as much of a garlic lover as we are!

baking dish of tomatoes, olives, onions and olive oil

Why we love making rice bakes

We love simple, flavorful recipes here at Ayyem, and our rice bakes are just that! This simple rice recipe is convenient to make, it’s a huge time-saving recipe, and it limits mess.

Not only that, but our rice bakes help us cut back on our leftovers and reduce our food waste. That’s right! Rice bakes are the reliable way to use up leftover rice and repurpose the food instead of wasting it.

For another sustainable recipe that can help you cut back on food waste, check out our Stuffed Pepper Rice Bake.

How to make our Greek rice bake

Get an oven-safe baking dish. Pour in the tomatoes, followed by both the green olives and kalamata olives, chopped onions, and garlic.
Drizzle olive oil over the top of the ingredients.
Sprinkle on salt, pepper and oregano. Mix everything together thoroughly.
Pop the dish in the oven for about 30-40 minutes and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove the dish from the oven. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to press down the ingredients.
Pour in the leftover rice and mix everything together.
- Note: you can either heat the rice in advance or pop it in the oven for an extra 10 minutes after mixing!
Top with feta and fresh cilantro. Serve warm.

closeup image of a bowl of Greek rice bake topped with feta and fresh herbs

How to store leftovers

Our rice bake recipes are notoriously simple to store. All you need is an airtight container and this will last up to 4 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer.

Rice has a tendency to dry out in the cold temperature of the fridge or freezer. Because of this, we suggest adding a tablespoon of water or broth per cup of rice when reheating. This will help to rehydrate the rice and make it taste more fresh.

Common Questions about Greek Rice Bake

What can I substitute for feta in Greek rice bake?

If you’re not a fan of feta or don’t have any on hand, you could use crumbled goat cheese for a milder tang, or even cubes of halloumi for a different but equally Greek-inspired flavor. For a dairy-free version, try adding nutritional yeast to the rice mixture for umami flavor, or top with dairy-free cheese alternatives just before serving rather than during baking.

What protein goes well with Greek rice bake?

Greek rice bake pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled lamb chops, or Greek-style meatballs (keftedes). For a vegetarian option, you could add chickpeas directly to the rice mixture before baking, or serve with Greek-marinated grilled tofu. The bright, zesty flavors of the rice complement practically any protein that has Mediterranean herbs and spices.

Is Greek rice bake healthy?

Greek rice bake incorporates many elements of the Mediterranean diet, which is widely recognized as one of the healthiest eating patterns in the world! The tomatoes provide lycopene (an antioxidant), olives offer healthy fats, and herbs like oregano contain beneficial compounds. While the feta adds calcium and protein, you can always adjust the amount to control calories or sodium if needed.

What side dishes go well with Greek rice bake?

A simple Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion makes the reliable side dish for Greek rice bake. You could also serve it with roasted vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, or bell peppers to keep with the Mediterranean theme. Some warm pita bread on the side is great for scooping up any leftover sauce or bits of feta that might escape your fork!

Greek dishes you are going to love!

Looking for more crave-worthy Mediterranean-inspired meals? Take a peek at these simple-peasy recipes that we love!

If you want to incorporate Greek flavors into a different mealtime, try out our Greek Breakfast Casserole. Batching your breakfasts makes morning time super simple. All you have to do is bake this up and cut it into cubes to serve!
Our Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is healthy and nourishing. It is a standalone recipe to eat on its own, or you can serve it as a side salad with dinner!
Whipped Feta Chicken Salad is always a hit in our home. It is a refreshing and hearty salad that will keep you full for hours.
Speaking of chicken recipes, we are obsessed with our Hummus Baked Chicken! It is simple, packed with protein, and delish!
Our Greek Pasta Bake is probably the most similar to our Greek Rice Bake recipe. Instead of rice, we use pasta!
Ok, we LOVE whipped feta. Our Whipped Feta with Roasted Tomatoes and Chickpeas is truly the finest. It works so well as an appetizer, but you can also serve it as a side with dinner.

a bowl of Greek rice bake topped with feta and fresh herbs

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 4 servings

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins

This rice is simple and flavorful. Reliable as a main meal or a side. Email

Ingredients

1 cup grape tomatoes
1/4 cup green manzanilla olives seeded
1/4 cup kalamata olives seeded
1 small chopped seeded jalapeño optional
1 small red onion sliced
3 cloves minced garlic cloves
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cups cooked jasmine or long grain rice
1/2 cup crumbled feta
1/4 cup chopped Italian flat leaf parsley or cilantro

Instructions

In a 11×7 oven safe baking dish. Pour in the tomatoes, followed by both the green olives and kalamata olives, jalapeño (if using) chopped onions and garlic.1 cup grape tomatoes, 1/4 cup green manzanilla olives, 1/4 cup kalamata olives, 1 small red onion, 1 small chopped seeded jalapeño, 3 cloves minced garlic cloves
Drizzle olive oil over top of the ingredients. Sprinkle on salt, pepper and oregano. Mix everything together thoroughly.1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Pop the dish in the oven for about 30-40 minutes and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove the dish from the oven. Use a wooden spoon or silicon spatula to press down the ingredients.
Pour in the leftover rice and mix everything together. Note: you can either heat the rice in advance or pop it in the oven for an extra 10 minutes after mixing!2 cups cooked jasmine or long grain rice
Top with feta and fresh cilantro or Italian parsley. Serve warm.1/2 cup crumbled feta, 1/4 cup chopped Italian flat leaf parsley or cilantro