Easy Cheesy Mexican Rice

Transform your weeknight dinners with Easy Cheesy Mexican Rice, a bold and flavorful side dish that's ready in just 35 minutes! This one-pot wonder combines fluffy long-grain white rice simmered in savory chicken or vegetable broth with a zesty mix of sautéed onions, garlic, and canned diced tomatoes with green chilies for a kick of heat. Sweet bursts of frozen corn, aromatic spices like cumin and paprika, and a generous helping of gooey melted Mexican blend cheese take this dish to the next level. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing side for tacos, burritos, or grilled chicken, this cheesy Mexican rice is as versatile as it is delicious. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of color and freshness, and watch it disappear from the table in no time!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (10 oz) canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Rotel)
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan or deep skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3

Add the uncooked rice to the pan and stir for 2-3 minutes to lightly toast the rice.

Step 4

Pour in the broth and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and cover with a lid.

Step 5

Let the rice cook for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid is mostly absorbed.

Step 6

Remove the lid and stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), frozen corn, cumin, paprika, and salt. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the flavors are combined.

Step 7

Turn off the heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese until melted and evenly distributed.

Step 8

Transfer the rice to a serving dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese on top. Cover with foil for a minute or two to allow the cheese to melt.

Step 9

Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1174.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1422.4

Total Fat 89.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 215.8mg	0%
Sodium 4140.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 108.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.9g	0%
Total Sugars 11.2g
Protein 51.0g	0%

Vitamin D 4.5IU	0%
Calcium 1308.5mg	0%
Iron 7.0mg	0%
Potassium 827.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.9%

Protein: 14.1%

Carbs: 30.0%