Description
These Cheesy Pizza Rice Muffins are a fun and flavorful twist on traditional muffins, combining the essence of pizza with the convenience of a handheld snack. Packed with gooey cheese, savory marinara sauce, and aromatic Italian herbs, these muffins are perfect for school lunches or quick on-the-go bites.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (cooled)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup mini pepperoni or chopped turkey pepperoni (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick spray.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine rice, egg, marinara sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, pepperoni, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the mixture among the muffin cups, press down lightly to compact.
- Bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden and set.
- Cool and Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh herbs if desired before serving warm.
Notes
- Great for school lunches or quick snacks.
- You can add chopped veggies like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- For a vegetarian version, use dairy-free cheese and skip the pepperoni.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
