Lauren's Spanish Rice

Elevate your side dishes with Lauren's Spanish Rice, a richly flavored, one-pan recipe that brings a taste of Mexico to your kitchen. This easy-to-make dish combines toasted long-grain white rice with a medley of aromatic ingredients, including finely chopped yellow onion, minced garlic, and a savory blend of cumin, chili powder, and paprika. Simmered to perfection in a tomato sauce and broth mixture, this vibrant rice achieves the ideal balance of tender, fluffy texture and bold, smoky flavor. Ready in just 40 minutes with minimal effort, Lauren's Spanish Rice is the perfect companion to tacos, burrito bowls, or grilled vegetables. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness, and watch this versatile dish become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoons chili powder
• 0.25 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the rice to the skillet and stir frequently to coat the grains in oil. Toast the rice for 3-5 minutes, or until it turns light golden brown.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes softened and translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour in the tomato sauce and broth, then mix in the cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 7

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 20 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid while the rice cooks to ensure proper steaming.

Step 8

After 20 minutes, remove the skillet from heat but keep it covered for an additional 5 minutes to allow the rice to finish cooking and absorb any remaining liquid.

Step 9

Fluff the rice with a fork, then garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired.

Step 10

Serve warm as a side dish or a base for tacos, burrito bowls, or grilled vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1061.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	652.2

Total Fat 31.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4393.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 80.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.7g	0%
Total Sugars 10.4g
Protein 12.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 108.8mg	0%
Iron 4.5mg	0%
Potassium 377.9mg	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: 43.6%

Protein: 7.4%

Carbs: 48.9%