Arroz al Horno, an Oven-Baked Spanish Rice Recipe

By
Lisa & Tony Sierra
Lisa & Tony Sierra
Lisa and Tony Sierra are freelance writers and Spanish food experts who lead culinary tours of the country.
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Updated on 03/14/22
Arroz al Horno
Nadieshda / Getty Images
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 50 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
648 Calories
43g Fat
33g Carbs
32g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 648
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 43g 55%
Saturated Fat 12g 58%
Cholesterol 112mg 37%
Sodium 906mg 39%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 32g
Vitamin C 14mg 69%
Calcium 67mg 5%
Iron 5mg 28%
Potassium 863mg 18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The region of Valencia is the main rice-producing region in Spain. Although the region is known for paella, there are so many other mouthwatering rice dishes to enjoy, like Arroz al Horno, which is also known as baked Spanish rice or Oven-Baked Spanish Rice.

This dish is traditionally baked in a ceramic dish and includes pieces of pork, morcilla blood sausage, garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, and garbanzo beans. This traditional Spanish rice dish is so popular that Xàtiva, a city near the coast in Valencia, holds a festival in honor of Arroz al Horno.

Traditionally, this baked Spanish rice dish is prepared in a clay or ceramic dish. So, you’ll need a ceramic, enamel or stainless steel casserole dish that can be used on a stove-top or in the oven.

Baked Spanish Rice—a Hallmark of Valencia

The Valencians are so proud of the high-quality rice they grow that there is a Denomination of Origin for rice—a protected geographical indication that protects names of quality agricultural products. The rice-producing zone is around the “Parque Natural de la Albufera” in the province of Alicante, but other areas include Beniparrell, La Alcudia, Oliva, Pego, and Sagunto in Alicante. Paella is a famous rice dish from the region as well. 

Valencia also has a number of dishes made of seafood and fowl, complete with sauces. All-i-fibre is a sauce made of a combination of garlic, oil, and paprika and is commonly served with eel. Pato a la Naranja is a duck with orange sauce, an original dish from this area. This recipe for Arroz al Horno, though, is a classic Valencia rice meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean pork

  • 1/2 pound morcilla, or blood sausage

  • 1 bulb garlic

  • 2 medium tomatoes

  • 1 1/2 cups rice

  • 4 cups beef broth

  • 2 medium potatoes

  • 4 ounces cooked garbanzo beans

  • 1/2 cup olive oil, divided, plus more if needed

Steps to Make It

  1. Cut the fresh pork into cubes, approximately 3/4 inch. Cut the morcilla sausage into thick slices.

  2. Cut tomatoes into slices, approximately 1/3-inch thick. Peel potatoes and cut into slices approximately 1/4-inch thick.

  3. Pour a few tablespoons of olive oil into the casserole dish and heat. When it is hot enough, fry the pork, sausage slices and whole head of garlic. Add slices of one tomato into the pan and stir.

  4. Add the rice into the pan and stir the contents of the frying pan. Add olive oil if necessary.

  5. Pour the broth and sprinkle the chickpeas around the dish. Simmer for 10 minutes while you fry the potatoes. Add more broth if necessary.

  6. Heat oven to 375 F.

  7. In a small frying pan, heat approximately half an inch of olive oil. When hot enough, add the potato slices. Lightly fry them and remove the potatoes.

  8. Add the rest of the tomato in the dish, laying slices on top. Place potato slices on top of the rice. Cover and bake the meal in the oven until golden brown.

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